His Rule: Never

Talk Politics

Joseph Mitchell, retiring at 92 after a lifetime’s participation in Pacific commerce, must have some pretty clear ideas on the future of the big fellows’ enter prises in the Islands, under the wave of nationalism that is sweeping across the South Pacific.

But, as BP’s general manager, he never talked politics. Probably, he will carry that admirable rule into retirement.

All his friends hope that “Joe” will make the century.

Maybe by then, he will have before him the spectacle of in dependent national governments functioning in New Guinea, the Solomons, Nauru, the Gilberts, and all those other politically ambitious places, all trying to cope with the problems of finance and development. That should make him talk.

At the same time, I think, those other 1880-1940 pioneers of South Pacific trade, develop ment and “colonialism” will be

turning in their graves.-

Rwr.