Ome Useful Achievements

At Noumea In April

r UCH that is likely to be of L direct benefit to the South Pacific Territories, in the fields administration, commerce and Lai service, was accomplished in imea during April. Some of the isions taken may yet be accepted milestones marking the march progress in the Islands, he Second South Pacific Confer e (when 60 men and women, resenting native communities in Island Territories, met in imea) was much more ‘valuable n the First Conference, held in three years ago. The Islanders r have acquired a clearer idea he purpose and structure of the th Pacific Commission, and of way in which their Conference into it; and this time they came with something to say, and th-while plans to submit, hey had more confidence, not r in themselves, but also in the ects advanced by the European linistrations, with the net result ; when the recommendations of Conference reached the South fie Commission (in session im ately after the Conference ;d) the Commissioners found they had been supplied with a . programme, some of which was [y constructive, and all of which id for their serious consid ion. i example of how the native ties are likely to react to all was seen in Port Moresby, when Papua-New Guinea delegates rned, and discussed their im

pressions with Administrator D. M.

Cleland. They commented on the atmosphere of friendship which they had found, and which they thought opened the way to greater co-operation between the Terri tories; and they were impressed by the interest which the people of other Territories showed in the social services and dietary research being carried on in Papua-New Guinea.

Much was accomplished in the Conference hall, and in the list of resolutions which was finally arranged for presentation to the Commission. But there was more lasting value in what happened out side of Conference hours, in the hotels and dormitories, where Polynesians, Micronesians and Mel anesians, from near a score of different Island countries, met under the happiest social conditions, and learned how closely they are united by similar conditions of life, and a common destiny. All this has tended to build up the morale of the more backward people—the Melanesians.

ALTHOUGH its session was com paratively short, the Commission did some very important work.

It gave sympathetic, preliminary consideration to the recommenda tipns of the Conference: it dealt with the vocational training pro posals of Dr. Harlow; and it gave effective shape and impetus to a plan under which the war against the Rhinoceros beetle—which re cently has invaded Tonga, Fiji and

some sections of New Guinea —will be prosecuted on a Pacific-wide basis. (Details published on another page).

The menace of this beetle cannot be exaggerated. The coconut palm is the essential unit of Pacific Islands economy. Most Territories have an alternative industry or two —such as gold, cocoa, shell, sugar, coffee —but practically every one of them depends in some degree on its income from the sale of copra.

Anything which strikes at the health of the palm strikes at the general well-being of the Islands.

The rapidity with which the beetle has spread recently is the most alarming development in the Pacific Islands since the Japanese invasion.

It was a fortunate circumstance that the Chairman pro tem of this session of the. Commission was Sir Henry Milne Scott, of Suva, and that Sir Henry was acting as deputy for the Governor of Fiji (Sir Ronald Garvey). The Governor is putting great drive and energy be hind the Fijian attack upon the beetle; and Sir Henry, as a director of large commercial organisations, was fully conscious of the need for immediate practical action—there! was no time to await consultation with the heads of six Governments.

On behalf of the Governor, Sir Henry offered £lO,OOO Stg. to finance prompt action; and, as Chairman of the session, he urged the Com mission to accept the money, and get busy.

The Commissioners needed no urging, however. With the funds thus made available, they were able to give their energetic Secretary- General carte blanche; and Sir Brian Freeston had his team in action before the session ended.

That is the sort of thing that appeals to the imagination and the heart of non-official observers.

Planters and merchants can be assured that everything possible is being done to deal with the Rhino ceros beetle. fTIHE Commission is now fully JL aware that, in the general field of its obligations, its most im portant duty is the provision of some machinery through which education—and more especially technical training—can be carried to these Islanders, who are so heavily handicapped in this respect by their multiplicity of languages.

Therefore, at this session, it gave high priority to the notable report by Dr. Harlow on the proposed central vocational training institu tion. Dr. Harlow strongly endorses the plan to establish in Fiji an initial training centre, so as to provide a prototype for other Territories, and to assist Govern ments and Departments in as sembling data in relation to cost, operation, etc.

Dr. Harlow has based his estimates on an establishment for three faculties technology, agriculture and forestry, and social studies— best suited to Islands needs: and he indicates that the capital cost of providing land, buildings and equipment for such an institution in Fiji would be about £500,000 Stg.

It seems a great deal of money; but it really is small, compared with what some Governments are now spending on “native welfare” —and vocational training probably is the most important thing now to be considered in relation to the future of the Islanders.

The Commission has asked its Research Council to study the re port; and the report also is being submitted to the six member Gov ernments, so that recommendations can proceed from that point, on an inter-Governmental basis. * * * It was a notable session of the Commission. The Senior Com missioner for France thanked Sir Henry Milne Scott for the way in which he had controlled the sit tings; and Sir Henry expressed his appreciation of the co-operation understanding, support and courtesy which he had received from the Commissioners. fl Mr. and Mrs. Jack Barber, who celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in Fiji last year, are leaving Fiji permanently after 45 years in the Group. Mr. Barber has been a successful farmer and plahtation owner, II Mr. W. C. Gee, Divisional En gineer, Overseas Telecommunica tions Commission, Fort Moresby, returned there in April after recrea tional leave.