from the inlands press

BRITAIN’S continued contribu tions to advance Fiji’s economic and social welfare emphasise the apparent indifference of official Australia to the colony’s condi tion.

Britain is at the opposite side of the world, and the calls upon her for help—especially from present and former parts of her once widespread empire—are endless.

Australia is within four hours’ flying time of Fiji. The Austra lian investment in Fiji is huge.

In terms of defence, and of political conditions in the South Pacific, the future of Fiji is of immensely more importance to Australia (and New Zealand) than it is to Britain. . . .

Australia, by her size and wealth, and the spread of her trading operations—and whether she likes it or not—must accept a large measure of responsibility for the future welfare of the South Pacific countries.

The Government of Fiji is keenly aware of this situation.

It seeks closer relations with Australia, on a basis of mutual friendship and goodwill, in the fields of politics as well as eco nomics; but if apparent Aus tralian official indifference to wards the colony’s problems continues, it is not inconceivable that steps may be taken or con templated, which will hurt Aus tralian interests in the fields of commerce and finance,— Editorial in “The Fiji Times,” Suva.

Governor h. Rex Lee is leaving American Samoa on Monday, July 24, for the last time. It is to be hoped that in this moment of parting American Samoans recognise something of what they owe him.

Throughout his term as Gov ernor, Lee has been praised and admired throughout the rest of the Pacific and in America for his strength, vision and drive.

Most people within the territory also acknowledge these points.

It is certain he has made mis takes. . . . But he has also got results.

During his six years here, we have seen better air and ocean communication developed, better

roads have been built, much addi tional money has been poured into the territory to pay for new housing, sewerage and electrical schemes, a new hospital, a re built police force and judicial system, and probably the most important of all—an extensive and revolutionary form of edu cation by television.

Great political steps have been taken. The Samoan Legislature has been established and nurtured and guided; a modern constitution has been drawn up and much vital legislation has been spon sored and passed.

While this has been going on, new industry has been attracted and we have seen the beginnings of a local tourism industry which could possibly provide American Samoa with a truly viable eco nomy.

These measures and others have resulted in a surge of prosperity throughout the community result ing in an improvement in living standards and general awareness here that American Samoa is finally going some place.— Editorial in the “Samoa Times,”

Apia.

A YOUNG man is reported as missing from Makin in the Northern Gilberts. Aged about 16 years, he apparently got drunk and decided to run away to sea in a “borrowed” sailing canoe on lune 23. The Police and Marine Departments have been alerted, but so far the missing man has not yet been found.— News item in “Colony Information Notes Tarawa ALTHOUGH Samoa has gained its independence, the repre sentatives of the people still do not run the country. The country is still in the grip of certain in terests who wield tremendous and often hidden power.

One of the more powerful of these interests is the Bank of Western Samoa whose policy is still controlled by the Bank of New Zealand and dictated from Wellington, and which policy can, in certain instances, be shown as clearly inimical to the best inter ests of Western Samoa.

To a very large extent, the

manager of the Bank of Western Samoa has more influence on the economic well-being and rate of progress of this country than the Prime Minister.

The fault lies with Samoa’s poli ticians and leaders. They have had six years of independence to know the limitations of the bank; they have been told by United Nations economists that the bank was ignoring the real needs of the country.— Editorial in “Apia Advertiser ” Apia.

THE Minister for Territories, Mr. Barnes, could be wide of the mark when he talks of in dependence for Papua and New Guinea in 20 years.

It may be that the fervor and extent of moves for self-govern

ment—and independence—among

native people are being under estimated.

The strength of this fervor will only be known when the line-up of native Members is studied after the House of Assembly elections early next year. In any event it seems unwise for anyone to talk about precise dates for independ ence at this stage.

There seems no reason for the Government to switch from its stand that independence will be granted as soon as there is real evidence that the people as a whole are ready for it.

While no-one wants premature independence, it is to be hoped that everything possible will be done to encourage territory de velopment so that the people can achieve stable self-government and independence, or some other ne gotiated arrangement, without unreasonable delay.— Editorial in the “South Pacific Post Port Moresby.

ON Tuesday while at Cam’s waiting to be “hairdressed”, Monica Smith poked her head out from under a dryer to tell us how “browned off’ she is about the fact that the films for the Rawson Hall talkies have been offloaded on the last three planes.

Surely, films for entertainment of the people would not take up much room on an aeroplane?

We understand many viewers were turned away with disap pointment on Monday night after braving the wet to see “Peyton Place”, which didn’t turn up on the plane!— ltem in the “Norfolk Islander”