Air Age "Changing

New Hebrideans' Mental Horizons”

The development of air com munications into and within the New Hebrides is bringing about far-reaching effects in the mental horizons of the New Hebrideans.

British Assistant Resident A Commissioner, Mr. C. H. Allen, said this in Vila in December in a speech on behalf of himself and the French Resident Commissioner, Mr.

M. Delauney, to open the ninth ses sion of the New Hebrides Advisory Council.

Mr. Allen said: “As men and women travel more between the islands, old barriers and suspicions are being broken down, while from outside the Group we are finding other, nearby Pacific territories taking more interest in local affairs.

“We are seeing a steady and marked increase in the number of technical advisers and experts of the various ministries of the French and British Governments, and of the Governments of New Caledonia and the BSIP to investigate and advise us on our problems, notably in the fields of civil aviation, meteo rology, geology, communications, education, land tenure, survey, forestry, etc.

“We have also had the benefit of visits by experts from international agencies, notably the WHO, FAO, IFO and SPC, and research workers from distinguished universities in the fields of archaeology and urbanisa tion.”

Referring to the Condominium’s economic position, Mr. Allen said

that copra production in 1964 was expected to reach the record figure of 36,250 tons, with estimated exports for the year at 37,150 tons against 35,617 tons in 1963.

Record Copra Production The record production figure had been reached despite serious damage to coconuts by a severe cyclone in the northern part of the Group last February, regular explosions of ash from Lopevi, and Yasur volcano on Tanna, and attacks on plantations by the coconut pest Aspidiotus destructor.

Manganese exports for 1964 were expected to total 73,000 tons, rising tOh^ 0 ’ 000 or even 100,000 tons in Estimated production figures for other exports in 1964 (with those for 1963 in parenthesis) were: Cocoa, 600 tons (811); coffee, 166 tons (217); and fish. 3,080 tons (2,973).

The total value of exports for 1964 was estimated at £5tg,2,911,392 compared with £2,317,712 in 1963, and there was expected to be a favourable balance of external trade, on visible items, of £5tg.611,392 against £143,505 in 1963.

Mr. Allen said it was “encourag ing to note that investment in build ing and construction had continued in the Group during the year, parti cularly in Vila where new buildings were going up in the centre of the town and in the residential areas.

“These permanent works surely reflect a belief in the economic future,” he said.

Mr. Allen added that it had been decided to hold a population census to aid the economic development of the group; that discussions were being held to see if the geophysical survey to be undertaken in the

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Solomons ( PIM, Aug., p. 43) could be extended to the northern islands of the New Hebrides; and that a broadly-based committee was to be set up to advise the Resident Com missioners on economic planning for the period 1965-70.

In the subsequent debates in the Advisory Council, the New Hebridean members participated freely, making what an observer described as “important contributions on the subjects of agriculture, land tenure, liquor laws, health and education”.

Although an interpreter was present to translate into Pidgin English, his services were required by only three New Hebridean members as the others can now express themselves adequately, and, in some cases, fluently in either English or French.

A proposal that the meetings of the Council should be open to the public was readily agreed to—some members stating that not enough publicity had previously been given to meetings.

It was suggested that copies of the Council minutes should be made available at District Agencies and in stores in the main centres, and that Vila Radio, Radio Noumea and

Honiara Radio should transmit news bulletins about the council sessions either during or after the sessions.

The Biudget for 1965—£5tg.838,000 to be provided entirely from revenue —was the main item on the Council’s agenda. Discussion on this gave members the chance to speak on a wide range of subjects, of which copra production received especial attention.

With a view to increasing copra production, the Council recommended that pilot projects should be established throughout the islands to show the beneficial effects of adequate spacing of trees, the clearing of undergrowth and the provision of fertiliser.

In discussions on liquor, there was no demand by either the New Hebridean or European members for further relaxation of existing laws.

Dr. Norma McArthur, Senior Fellow in Demography at the Aus tralian National University Canberra, visited the New Hebrides in mid- December to advise the British and French Resident Commissioners about the proposed census in the Group.