background
p. 22 · Read in the full issue
The SPC background
The South Pacific Com mission is a consultative and advisory body which was established in 1947 at a con ference initiated by Austra lia. Its foundation member ship consisted of the six countries which then admin istered South Pacific territories Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA, France and the Netherlands. The Netherlands ceased to par ticipate in 1962, and the
newly-emerging indepen
dent states of the Pacific were progressively admitted to membership after 1964.
The basic purpose of the commission is to advise member governments on ways of improving the econ omic and community well being of the Pacific Islands community, and to initiate and participate in projects directed to this goal.