Pacific Peoples To Discuss Their Common Needs And Problems

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27211, 14 October 1949, Page 10

Pacific Peoples To Discuss Their Common Needs And Problems

Daily Times Special Service AUCKLAND, Oct. 13. For the first time in the history and traditions of the Pacific, leaders of the Polynesian, Melanesian, and Micronesia n peoples are to sit around the conference table to discuss their common needs and problems. Sixty delegates and advisers from island groups will be in Fiji in April and May for a meeting called by the South Pacific Commission. They may make recommendations to the commission, which will hold its fifth session in Suva after the close of the conference. Territories which are expected to send delegations are Papua, New Guinea, Nauru, New Caledonia, French Oceanania, Dutch New Guinea, Western Samoa, the Tokelau Islands, the Cook Islands and Niue. Fiji, the British Solomon Islands, the Gilbert Islands, the Ellice Islands. American Samoa, and the New Hebrides. The Government of the Kingdom of Tonga has also accepted an invitation to be represented. Sir Brian Freeston, Governor of Fiji, will be chairman of flip conference, which is to be held at the Teachers’ Training College at Nasinu. The delegates will bring photographs, maps, and specimens of local products to show how their particular communities live and work. The agenda will include public health, methods of food preservation, and fTie health of villages. Under the heading of social development, the delegates will learn about village schools, vocational '.raining, and co-operative societies, and in the economic field there will be, the examination and comparison of fishery methods, the diversification of food and export crops, and the maintenance of handicrafts. The conference has been called in terms of the agreement which founded the South Pacific Commission. Further conferences are to be held at least once every three years.