Sth Pacific Commiss’on
p. 25 · Read in the full issue
Sec.-General of Sth Pacific Commiss’on
NEW Secretary-General of the South Pacific Commission, Dr.
R. C. Bedell, of Washington, is expected to take up his new duties m Noumea in March, 1955. His appointment, as announced in November PIM, is for a period of two years, with a likelihood of ex tension for another year.
The retiring Secretary-General, Sir Brian Freeston, KCMG, and Lady Freeston, left Noumea at the end of October and, in Sydney, joined a steamer for Europe. They disembarked in Lisbon and planned to reside for some little time with
a married daughter there, before settling down in their country home in England. Sir Brian and Lady Freeston made many warm friends during their two years’ residence in Noumea, and they were entertained and farewelled at numerous func tions prior to their departure.
Most of the people connected with the South Pacific Commission had openly expressed the hope that the post of Secretary-General would go to Mr. John Ryan, who is held in high esteem and who is Assistant Secretary-General. He has filled the senior job in an acting capacity on a number of occasions. But it seems to be accepted now as a rule that the position shall go in turn to a nominee of each of the six countries who maintain the Com mission. Australia (Mr. Forsyth) and United Kingdom (Sir Brian Freestone) have each been repre sented in this way: and now it is the turn of the United States. (I A son, Peter James, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Maurice B. Baker, of Rarotonga, on November 2. Mr.
Baker is Director of Agriculture in the Cooks.
Mr. R. C. Bedell.