BSI Govt. to the Rescue

—9 Years Late

IT was announced some time ago that the BSIP Government would consider suitable machinery for investigating cases of hardship resulting from war in the Protec torate —with a view, of course, to providing some measure of relief for such persons.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies has now approved pro posals made by the High Commis sioner for the Western Pacific for the creation of a BSIP Assistance Board to investigate individual cases and recommend relief measures.

The Secretary of State has also approved the provision of funds for these relief measures. The names of the Members of the Board and its method of operation are to be announced later.

EDITORIAL NOTE; The decision to assist “residents in straitened circumstances” followed the an nouncement at the end of 1953 that the British Government had given £500,000 to the BSIP from Japanese reparations. Planters urged that the money be spent on war damage compensation. This was refused— but the High Commissioner pro mised that cases of real hardship

would be considered on their merits.

It is now nine years since the end of the war—a long time to be in straitened circumstances. It seems late to be investigating hardship arising from that catastrophe— although, perhaps, better than never.

fl Mr. R. W. Smith, who was a Medical Assistant for some years in Papua—lastly at Tufi—retired from the service last year, and is now a member of the staff of Drug Houses of Australia, Ltd. He returned to Papua in June, as a commercial traveller representing that firm.