New Projects For S. Pacific Commission

THE 10th session of the South Pacific Commission, meeting in Noumea on October 6, made plans for the Commission’s 1953 work programme to further the welfare of Pacific island peoples. The session lasted approximately twelve days.

The Commission also reviewed arrangements in hand for the Second South Pacific Conference which is to be held in Noumea next April.

Over 70 delegates are expected to attend from 18 South Pacific Terri tories and in a 10-days session dis cuss problems relating to their peoples.

The conference, as distinct from the Commission, is a meeting of native representatives from the Is land territories. The first Conference was held in Suva in April-May, 1950, and was regarded as an out

standing success.

In June last the Commission! expert advisory body, the Researc Council, carried out its annual re view and made recommendations ii the fields of economic development health and social development.

Over forty projects are being stuc ied, the most important dealing wit: economic development. Population of many Pacific territories are in creasing steadily, demanding e* pansion of food and cash crops.

Health projects under considers tion include child and adult nutri tion, filiariasis and elephantiasis, am leprosy.

In the social development fielc the Commission will consider de velopment of co-operatives in thi region, and recommendations regard ing the South Pacific Literatur Bureau, set up earlier this year t( promote distribution of simple liter ature for Pacific island peoples.