PITCAIRN ISLAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23574, 7 February 1940, Page 12

PITCAIRN ISLAND

FOOD FOR INHABITANTS POSITION NOW RELIEVED "NO QUESTION OF REMOVAL" [from our own correspondent] SUVA, Jan. 27 Reports recently published in American newspapers that the inhabitants of Pitcairn Island are considering removal to another and more accessible island owing to danger of food shortage are not confirmed in Suva, the headquarters of the Western Pacific High Commission. The Governor of Fiji, Sir Harry Luke, is High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, and the Pitcairn Island group comes under his jurisdiction.

Shortly after the outbreak of the war arrangements were made by the High Commissioner with a view to as many ships as possible, consistent with route arrangements, continuing to call at Pitcairn Island in order that the importation of foodstuffs, on which the islanders are partly dependent, should be maintained as far as possible. In in id-December a vessel arrived there with foodstuffs. Recent messages received from the chief magistrate indicated that the food shortage had been relieved and that there was a foulweeks' supply on hand. The situation is being closely watched by tlie High Commissioner, who is maintaining contact with the island. No question of evacuation lias been raised, nor is it anticipated, in view of the satisfactory state of affairs, added to the inhabitants' great affection for their home, that any suggestion to remove them to Norfolk Island or elsewhere would meet with their support. An officer of the High Commission will shortly be sent to Pitcairn for a stay of some months. He will inaugurate the working of the new island regulations and set on foot the new postal arrangements necessitated by the forthcoming pictorial issue of Pitcairn Island postage stamps.