"Living In Fear"

Pitcairn Islanders "Living In Fear"

THE people of Pitcairn Island are living in fear of what the future holds for their island as a result of the French Government’s decision to hold nuclear tests in French Poly nesia, according to a recent editorial in the island’s roneoed newspaper, Pitcairn Miscellany.

The editorial said the Pitcairners also held fears for the people of the neighbouring Gambier Archipelago, many of whom were close relatives.

“Why should we, a helpless hand ful of people, be swept aside like a straw in the wind?” the editorial asked.

“Surely somewhere in the hearts of the French Government and its leader, President de Gaulle, there must be a feeling of guilt, that through their actions, people are hav ing their freedom to live as they wish taken from them.”

The editorial said the French claimed their possession of nuclear bombs and other weapons of mass de struction would greatly assist in main taining liberty in the world, and that it was therefore essential for them to carry out the proposed tests.

It added; “At about the same time as Pitcairn was being settled by Flet cher Christian and his party, in France, a woman, Madame Roland, was being led out to be executed. As she approached the guillotine, she cried out, ‘O Liberty! What crimes are committed in thy name.’ This could easily be the cry of Pitcairn today,”

Fiji Will Intensify

Mineral Search

The search for mineral deposits in Fiji has continued for years, some times in spasms, and sometimes, when there has been the prospect of a strike, with unabated enthusiasm.

Geologists recognise that there could be vast deposits in the Colony, but the big question has been to find them in payable quantities.

Now with a fairly strong team of experts the drive to find minerals, which will materially help the Colony’s economy, is being in tensified.

The total scheme envisages re

current expenditure of £247,000 and capital expenditure of £75,000 be tween 1963 and 1969. It provides for a new headquarters, new equip ment and additional staff, The primary object of the scheme is to acquire geological information and by interpreting it to help in the search for natural resources.

Geological mapping on a regional scale is the necessary prelude to more detailed investigations. The depart ment has been given a target of 1969 to finish the preliminary mapping of the whole of the Colony, At the same time the department will start a more specific survey of mineral resources and will systemati cally assess mineralised areas.