problems
p. 63 · Read in the full issue
No grasp of problems
One of the main gripes of the people in the neglected outer atolls of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands is that when district officers do turn up, they stay for only a matter of hours. As a result they don’t get a real grasp of local problems.
“REN” Smith, DC Gilberts, is well aware of these criticisms and hopes to allay complaints by leaving his younger DO’s on atolls for weeks at a time. “We intend to make regular calls if possible in future and with im proved shipping facilities I think we can eventually get around to most atolls,” he told PIM, Meanwhile, these atolls show no signs of economic improve ment. Apart from an odd copra shed, a co-op. store, a govern ment station-cum-resthouse a police station usually no bigger than a bus stand, the GEIC’s outer atolls have nothing but coconuts and villages.