Nutshell

In A Nutshell

THE growing trend of co-operation between territories of the South Pacific was considerably reinforced by the decision made in Apia in mid- September by representatives from Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands and West ern Samoa to set up a central secretariat to assist in the develop ment of the banana trade, and later of trade in other Islands produce.

Attending the September meeting were Hon. Ratu Mara and Messrs.

R. Major and B. Brown, from Fiji; Dr. Tamarua and K. Sadaraka, from the Cooks; Messrs, Simiki and Vete, from Tonga; and Hon. G. F. D.

Betham, Hon. Laufili Time, and Messrs. H. A. Levestam, P. P. Heller, T. M. S. Cunliffe, A. Gerakas and D. Ashby, from Western Samoa. • A reorganisation of Kinjibi Holdings Ltd., New Guinea coffee planters, is likely following the election of three new men to the board in October. Two of the positions were filled after two direc tors, P, C. E. Cox and H. R. Hagon, who sought re-election, were over whelmingly defeated. The former chairman, Mr. M. W. Flack, did not offer for re-election because of ill health. The board now comprises Messrs. R. Corben, M. Casey, A.

Schindler (the three new directors), C. W. Ford and J. H. Lee. • The MV Edenhope, which the Bougainville Co. Ltd. bought re cently from the Australian Coastal Shipping Commission, sailed from Sydney for Port Moresby and other New Guinea ports on October 1. • Reports from West New Guinea in October indicated that the future of the regular Biak-Sukarnapura-Lae air services run by Garuda Indonesian Airways is in doubt. The airline said it was awaiting “new authorisation for flights to Lae”, although Aus tralian sources said authorisation had been given. • A Noumea report in October said the French nuclear testing centre at Mururoa atoll, in French Poly nesia, had claimed its first victims— three killed and four wounded— following a violent explosion. Two of the dead were Tahitians.