The Gilberts Look To Japan

The Chie f Minister of the Gilbert Islands, Mr Naboua Ratieta. has said his eoimtry will look to Japan for help in the development of a fishing fleet.

Vn e < f llber J s are due to become internally self-governing on November I hull independence from Britain is expected to come in 1978, coinciding with the QS ll* lo "™ 3 °f mimn S of the phosphate deposits on Ocean Island.

I Mr ju tie J a S n ld he , saw fishing a * the main source offuture revenue. He had field hQd WltH Japanese re P reser "otives about possible expansion in this He added that at present some 50 Japanese fishing vessels were operating without authority in Gilbertese waters, taking home about 30,000 tons a year. island™ 6 ™ GS ° a^out boats from Korea and Taiwan operating among the Advance of the Gilberts to self-government and independence will not be without its rough patches: the Fiji Council of Trade Unions announced in July that it would interrupt air services to the Gilberts as a protest in support of the Pe ° P i e ’ r h iu are S f eking of their home island, Ocean island, Jrom the Gilberts administration.