Sw Pacific Territories Enter Middle-Age

French, British and Australians Celebrate

, . That Jeaven of French is probably the cause of the festivities that will mark the New Hebrides Condominium’s 50th birthday on October 20; while Papua, which had a similar anniversary in September, flew a few flags and called it a day

r[E New Hebrides celebrates the 50th anniversary of joint Anglo-French Condominium government this month.

The Convention that set up the joint government was signed on October 20 —and as this con veniently falls on a Saturday this year, the Condominium is planning a week-end of festivities.

The date also allows certain British, French and Australian VlP’s including Australia’s Minister for Territories, Mr. Paul Hasluck —who will be attending the current session of the South Pacific Commission in Noumea, to make a short visit to the Hebrides.

Some of the official guests will go to Vila from Noumea on the Polynesie; others will fly by special TAI air service. Mr. Hasluck will be accompanied by Mrs. Hasluck and a member of his Department.

Dr. John Cumpston, Australian Consul in Noumea, is also expected to be with the official party.

. oc l ’fr ,po| y n esie", with officials, sails for Port Vila (New Hebrides). Aboard will be the Governor of Fiji (Sir Ronald Garvey) and the British High Commissioner for the Western Pacific and many high French officials. All 34 cabins are booked—no room for reporters Oct. 19—" Polynesia" arrives Port Vila, b p.m.

Oct. 20—Official celebrations in Port Vila.

Oct. 21 (evening)—"Polynesie" departs for Santo.

Oct, 22 (early)—Arrives Santo. Jubilee cele brations.

Oct. 23 (evening)—Depart from Santo.

Oct. 24—Visit to Pentecost.

Oct. 25—Arrive and depart Port Vila.

Oct. 26 —Return to Noumea.

Although the British part of the administration of the New Hebrides comes under the jurisdiction of the Western Pacific High Commission and has nothing to do with Australia officially, Australia has a big stake in the country through the land that was given to the Commonwealth by the late Sir James Burns. British residents in the Hebrides have more ties with Australia than with the UK and the only large firm that operates in opposition to large French commercial interests, is. of course, an Australian one—Burns Philp and. Co. Ltd.

As well as social activities planned for October, the Con dominium has issued special post age stamps to mark the event.

50 Years Australian

PAPUA marked up 50 years as an Australian Territory on September 1, 1956—but a correspondent reports that apart from flying a few flags, little else was done to mark the occasion. • There was no Ministerial visit. • No postage-stamps, either.

From Canberra, Mr. Hasluck said that after 50 years Australia could record that the foundations of Papua had been truly laid, that her policies for the advancement of Papuans had been consistently followed and that Australia’s effort was yielding remarkable results.

Papua had a holiday on September 15. But that was not to mark Jubilee Day. That is a reminder that on September 4, 1888, Dr. William MacGregor (later Sir William) proclaimed annexation of “British New Guinea” by Britain. (September 1, 1906, was when Australia took over from Britain and renamed the Territory, “Papua”).