He's Losing Face Over THAT House
p. 22 · Read in the full issue
From Gabriellle Lawson, in Honiara.
A disappointing aspect of the BSIP Budget for many people is that it has been decided once again to defer construction of a new Govern ment House for the Western Pacific High Commissioner in Honiara.
The excuse is that there is a backlog of housing for married local officers and workers to be made up.
It seems to be a vicious circle—more Government servants, more houses needed, more officers. While that goes on the High Commis sioner continues to live in a patched up army hut with a leaf roof, fighting white ants, in a hot and steamy location by the water, instead of being high on a hill top with the cool night breeze flowing in. Housing for local and expatriate officers continues to use the pick of locations.
It is a sore point with the Melanesians. The Queen’s representative lives in a slum house—there are no two ways about it. The Islanders don’t like it.
Perhaps in next year’s budget they could put up the price of beer by 3d a bottle, and build a new Government House out of the empty beer bottles.
Sir Robert Foster, British High Commis sioner in the Western Pacific.