Australian Officials
p. 22 · Read in the full issue
In New Hebrides
From a Special Correspondent in Vi MUCH local interest has he shown in recent official visiti to the New Hebrides, a especially in their activities. T visitors were: Mr. Keith Douglas-Scott, recen appointed Australian Consul New Caledonia.
Dr. J. S. Cumpston, formd Consul in Noumea, and n Historian of the Australian L partment of External Affai Canberra.
Mr. H. C. Menzies, Austral\ Senior Trade Commissioner \ New Zealand (whose " area” j eludes most of the Islands Ter tories of the Central and Soui west Pacific).
These three high Austral] officials were the guests of t British Resident Commissioner Vila, Mr. John Rennie and M Rennie; and they had conversatic with most of the Condominiur leading officials, both French a British.
It soon became apparent that ] Cumpston and Mr. Douglas-So were interested in the various pi perties in the archipelago dona] to the Commonwealth of Austra by the late Sir James Burns nea; 60 years ago, and more or li neglected by Australia ever since Late in November, they we from Vila to South Santo; and the they joined Mr. Jim Lancon, on t Burns Philp trading vessel Niki Using this ship, in November, th visited Malekula, Ambrym, Paaii Epi, and Tangoa. Back in Efa they had lunch with the manai of the manganese treatment pla now maintained by the Compagi Francaise des Phosphates 1’Oceanie, at Forari Bay.
Dr. Cumpston seemed to put in lot of time at the Joint Court] Vila—presumably examining tit to the Australian (or late Bur Philp) lands he inspected in t various islands. Before he left 1 Sydney he witnessed the arrival] the Fiji Airways (Qantas) provi flight, which is to mark the i auguration of the new air-servj between Fiji and Solomon Islani via New Hebrides.
Observers see a good deal I significance in these events. (See also article on p. 59).