SOUTH PACIFIC COMMISSION

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26212, 8 September 1950, Page 8

SOUTH PACIFIC COMMISSION

N.Z. PARTICIPATION IN WORK

WELFARE OF ISLAND PEOPLES

“The New Zealand Government lg participating fully in the activities of the South Pacific Commission and has taken a prominent part in shaping its work,” says the annual report of the Department of External Affairs. “The commission is a valuable instrument for the furtherance of international cooperation in the South Pacific— a task which it is performing with energy and success —and its work is evidence of the progressive and positive policy of the six member countries on the social and economic advancement of the island peoples. Now past the organisation stage, the commission it well advanced upon its working programme. “The commission’s work programme includes 28 projects in the field of health, economic, and social development. In the field of social development special importance is attached to education in particular technical education. At present a six months’ study is being made of the needs of the South Pacific area for technical training.

“Co-ordination of research is perhaps the most important function of the South Pacific Commission, and th® work being done by full-time member! and by the associate members of the Research Council is of great importance for the development of the territories of the Pacific.” The regional co-operation fostered by the activities of the commission had stimulated the relations of New Zealand with other South Pacific Administrations in the fields of health and economic and social affairs, the report said. The commission’s Work could be expected to increase the number of requests for advic® and for the services of trained personnel, which were at present' received largely from British administrations in the area. It had genetally been possible for New Zealand to provide the assistance sought. t*srticularly in education and nursing services. New Zealand had made a large contribution to progress in the Pacific. “In association with the Government of Fiji and the Western Pacific High Commission, New Zealand is concerned with the operation of a South Pacific health service, now in itt fourth year of development,” the report said. “New Zealand has two representatives on the South Pacific Board of Health, which has advisory functions concerned with the training of nurses and native doctors and the encouragement of research. In accordance with the agreement establishing the service, a pool of medical officers is being built up, in spite of difficulties presented bv a widespread post-war shortage of doctors.”