Bigger Role For Islanders In S.P.C

TSL/IA/DERS will play a bigger role in determining the work of the A South Pacific Commission as a result of new arrangements agreed upon by the participating governments — Australia, France, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States and Western Samoa.

At the seventh South Pacific Conference in Noumea in early October, which was attended by commissioners from the six participating govern ments, plus one delegate from each of the 18 Island territories in the Pacific, the new arrangements agreed upon were accepted. The delegates said they regarded them as an important step forward.

Under the new arrangements, South Pacific Conferences will be held annually from now on, instead of triennially. These will enable Islands delegates to discuss and make proposals on both the SPC work pro gramme and its budget. Each conference will be followed by a session of the commission.

The purpose of the SPC is to investigate and advise the participating governments on ways of improving the health, economy and social well being of the people of the 18 South Pacific territories.