Remember ?

Do You Remember ?

Looking at the issue of “Pacific

Islands Monthly ” of 20 years ago it almost appeared as if the war had disappeared. They were com

plaining about the shortage of

copra ships, certainly , hut in other ways it was still a “phony war .

The Japanese had not yet come into

the picture.

Here are extracts from the issue of April, 1940.

In Fiji the Native Land Trust Bill was passed on February 29, and described as “one of the most important measures ever designed in connection with the adminis tration of that Colony”. ♦ * * Australia had a new Minister for Terri tories. Mr. H. K. Nock making five Ministers in two years, and the Territories were complaining bitterly again that the post nearly always went to some unknown or untried Minister. * ♦ ♦ In Samoa. Mr. E. S. Paul bought the British yacht “Satenella” to begin a regular service between Apia and Pago Paeo, following the loss in January of the “Tutulla” which had run the service be tween the two territories. ♦ ♦ ♦ After lying idle for five years before being refitted, the Tongan Government vessel “Hifofua” (now, in 1960. in private hands in Fiji as the “Maroro”) was in trouble again in Tonga. Back on the jot for only a few months she had a serious engine breakdown and was lying idle again awaiting new parts from England. * ♦ ♦ Of topical interest today was the report of an attempt to float a company called “Mandated New Guinea Sugar Plantations Pty.. Ltd.,” to apply for 15,000 acres on which to establish a New Guinea sugai industry. Said “PIM”, “It is well knoWr that conditions in New Guinea are vers suitable for the growing of sugar cane but it is equally well known that Britisl Empire authorities discourage the furthei production of sugar, which has been ir considerable oversupply throughout th< world. It would have to be sold in th< world market with sharp competition.” ♦ ♦ ♦ Within a fortnight in February that yea; two hurricanes swept across the Nev Hebrides causing great damage, witl many houses blown away. One of th( hurricanes also seriously damaged Nev Caledonia. * * * As well as sugar they were talking abou tea growing in New Guinea. In Australii tea was rationed, and there were hope that New Guinea could be made to suppl it. * ♦ * There was still a serious shortage o ships in the South Pacific to lift coprs because of the seizure of British merchan ships by the British Government. Th Australian Government made urgent ap peals to London. As a result some relit was given when a freighter was divertec