Do you Remember?

The only way to solve the labour problem of the various South Pacific territories was to employ a system of indentured Asiatic labour similar to that used by the French in New Caledonia and New Hebrides ( PIM said editorially in June, 1938). No one was to know then, of course, that the French system was to be badly wrecked by the war of 1941-45 and was itself to become a problem.

Here are some other extracts from that issue of PIM, 20 years ago: There were surprises in Fiji Governor ships even 20 years ago. In June, 1938, Fiji was “viewing with considerable sur prise” the fact that Sir Arthur Richards, after being barely 18 months in the Colony as Governor, was whisked off to perform a similar duty in Jamaica. Fiji, then as now, seems to have lost a lot by not being an active trouble spot. * * * Two well-known Pacific personalities had died: Sir Henry Marks, Suva business man and MLC, at 77. And Papua explorer Jack Hides at 31—less than a year after his companion David Lyall. whom he had brought out from central NG after in credible hardships. * * * On Monday. May 30, 1938, at 6.45 a.m., at Mascot. Sydney, Flight Superintendent R. O. Mant walked out briskly to a DH airliner. “See you Sunday,” he said as he got aboard—and thus without ceremony inaugurated the first Sydney-New Guinea weekly air service. Today, of course, when Captain R. O. Mant walks out briskly to a plane, it is not a Carpenter job—but Qantas. Just recently Captain Mant went to Fiji as manager for the latest Qantas acquisition—Fiji Airways. * * * A Colony for tired people was being set up in the Marquesas. The advance party from Australia had already left in a yacht, and when in full blast the Colony was expected to have a membership of 100—from all over the British Empire

(yes It was “Empire” 20 years ago) and the United States. * * ♦ With the completion of the Suva- Sigatoka section, Fiji had a road all round the island of Viti Levu. It provided a fascinating two-days’ drive for tourists”. * * * The copra market was overshadowed by politics, we said; and price for top grade sun-dried was £lO/7/6 c.i.f. London. War fears were blamed. But a worse slump was affecting the cocoa market. Western Samoa—the only Pacific territory then with a big investment in cocoa—was par ticularly hard hit when the f.o.b. price fell to £22 per ton. * * * Burns Philp’s new motor-vessel “Bulolo” was launched on the Clyde on June 3 by the wife of Mr. A. M. Mackintosh, London manager of BP. ♦ ♦ * The installation of a modern radio transmitter and receiver in Pitcairn Island brought to an end that island’s 149 years of real isolation. The radio equipment was the gift of a group of American radio manufacturers. * * * Discussions between Washington and London as to who really owned Canton Island “were proceeding”. Meantime the two rival squatting parties, put there by Britain and America to safeguard the rights of each nation, were amicably ex changing courtesies over beer-drinking and bridge parties.