South Pacific Conference

Nothing will be sacred at South Pacific Conference

From GERALD ROUSSEAU in Noumea Delegates to this month’s South Pacific Conference in Suva are likely to provoke some fairly lively proceedings, even before they try the local kava or palm toddy.

SPC headquarters in Noumea reports that some 130 participants are expected at this 10th conference, with a record number of observers from international aid organisations.

Chairman of the conference is likely to be Mr. S. M. Koya, leader of the Opposition Party in Fiji.

The Islanders’ attitude towards the recommendations of the Review Committee on possible changes to the Canberra Agreement, (commis sion’s constitution) will be an indica tion of how far their plans have

gene towards setting up an indepen dent political forum outside the SPC.

If the French Commissioner main tains his resistance to change, as in the past years, this may well add impetus to the formation of a second Pacific body.

The creation of such an organisa tion, from which France would be absent, is regarded favourably in certain Caledonian political circles, as it would allow them to establish direct contact with their islands neighbours.

This year’s move to Suva, after the last three South Pacific Con ferences having been held in Noumea, has once more raised queries as to whether the SPC headquarters too may not be better located in Suva.

While everyone keeps talking, it may ultimately be found that the termites have the last word how ever: the day they stop holding hands, the whole pentagon head quarters may well collapse. Build ing costs are soaring in Noumea, so even modest new staff quarters would cost around $30,000 per unit.

This housing crisis cannot last forever, and even so, as other islands boom, their position may not be much different. At the same time it can be noted that for educational and other reasons, certain specialists and/or families working for the SPC have already begun moving out into English speaking islands nearby.

Another result of the con ference’s move to Suva is the prompting of the question: Who will host the next conference?

Following the July visit of SPC Sec retary-General, Afoafouvale Misi moa, to Guam, it is believed that this island is particularly keen to wel come its neighbours.

At the same time French Poly nesia has apparently been sending out feelers in the same direction, remembering that it will already be hosting the South Pacific Games, next September.

Finally, commissioners in Suva, if not before, will probably decide the

successor to the SPC post of Programme Director (Social), tc replace Dr. John de Young of the US who is retiring from Noumea Coffee-break whispers have named as candidates two Pacific personalities well-known at conferences —one froir diplomatic, the other from ecclesias tical, circles.

Mr. S. M. Koya, Leader of Fiji's Opposition Party, who is expected to be chairman of this year's SP Conference.