SOUTH SEA ADVISORY COMMISSION

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 97, 20 January 1944, Page 6

SOUTH SEA ADVISORY COMMISSION

Agreement On Proposal (By Telegraph.—Prfess Assn.—Copyright.) . (Special Australian Correspondent.) CANBERRA, January 18. The New Zealand and Australian Governments will take the initiative in establishing an advisory regional organization in the southern Pacific to be known as the South Sea Regional Commission. This decision has been made by the Ministerial conference at Canberra. Other nations which are likely to join the organization are Britain, the United States, and France.

The functions of the commission are expected to be: Arranging for the material development of the islands and native peoples in the areas, including production, finance, communications, and marketing; co-ordination of health and medical services; arranging for the maintenance of recognized l standards of native welfare in regard to labour conditions, participation of the natives in administration, and social services, education, and nutrition; arranging for collaboration in research — economic, social and anthropological. The form, purposes, functions, and organization of a regional commission along these lines will be examined by. a special committee,' and a scheme will be submitted to the Australian . and New Zealand, Governments as soon as possible. Much descussion took place at today’s meeting under the heading of “Dependencies,” says an official statement. Attention was given to the serious disruption of native life caused by the war, the presence of large numbers of troops in the islands, and the / undertaking Of new constructional works, accompanied by liberal expenditure.