Administrative

Changes

Next Moves In W. Pacific Awaited

REPORTS from our Correspon dents at Suva and Honiara say that although the transfer of Western Pacific High Commission headquarters from Suva to Honiara has been officially announced, there is little outward indication of any preparations for the move.

It must come within a short time.

The term of Sir Brian Freeston as Governor of Fiji and High Com missioner, Western Pacific, expires in April; and thenceforward the HCWP responsibilities (Solomons, G. and E. Colony. New Hebrides, Tonga, Pitcairn) must go elsewhere.

It was officially stated that Solo mons and G. and E. Colony would be governed from Honiara (Solo mons); and it has been unofficially stated that the British side of the New Hebrides Condominium would be transferred to Australia, and that .the British Consul in Tonga would report to the Governor of Fiji.

But, like most British Colonial Service affairs, all preparations are extremely “Hush-Hush.” All that is known, just now, is that Qantas, under charter, has made plans to connect the Solomons and the G. and E. Colony, via Nauru, with an air service: and that a “Housing Committee” has been set up in Honiara to discuss extended accom modation. It is believed that the WPHC is interested in the Qantas charter.

The plane service has not yet been extended beyond Nauru; but an islet of the Tarawa lagoon (headquarters of G. and E. Colony) has been prepared as an airfield.

New High Commissioner

Although British Minister Dug dale, in September, spoke of a “governor” being appointed for the Solomons and G. and E. Colony, and some such change was expected in several quarters, it was officially announced on January 12 that Mr.

Robert Christopher Stafford Stan ley, Chief Secretary in Northern Rhodesia, has been appointed High Commissioner for the Western Pacific.

Mr. Stanley was born in 1899. He served in World War I, and was later in the British Colonial Service in various countries, including Palestine, Cyprus and Africa.

The New Air Service

Honiara, Dec. 24

The second of the charter flights being run to Nauru by Qantas (Lae- Honiara-Nauru) on a regular schedule passed through Honiara last week.

Qantas pilots praise the excep tional service and facilities being provided at Nauru —quite different, they say, to Honiara, where over night passengers have to be accom modated in private homes and emp ty Government houses.