WELFARE OF PACIFIC

Chronicle (Levin), 27 September 1946, Page 7

WELFARE OF PACIFIC

- Pfess Assbclation

COMMISSION FLANNED

By Telegraph-

W ELLIN GTU1N , »e pi. ,zo. Early next year a conference will be eonvened in Australia for the pup^oso of v establishing a Begional Advisoi'y Commission for the South Pacific, said Mr, Fraser, in the House of Kepreseutatives tonight. Tlie Governments of Britain, United States, . France and Netherland^ desired to join with Aus tralia and New Zealand in forming a regional advisory organisatibn for promoting the welfare in- Island territoxies in this area. Formal -invitations. to tlie conference had now been hssued by the Australian Government on behalf of itself and tlie New Zealand Government. * •• -Mr. Fraser said that for some time the Australian and New Zealand Governments hs£d been planning the establishinent of a Begional Advisory Commission for the South Pacific area, covering • the islands from Tahiti to New Guinea. Other Governments concerned had expressed their willingness to join in the establishment of such a commission, the main functions of which would be to advise member Governments eoneerning the promotion of naitive welfare and the econouiie developineht of islanil territories of the ar.ea in the interests of their, people.?. Mutuai cooperatiorf ahd'an exchange of infoTiiintion and views between member Governments would assist materially the organisa tion of health and education services for the native peoples and impro.ye, native \velfare generallv. Both the New Zealand. and Australian Governments were very gratilied at the eneouraging reception given to the plan by other Governments, said Mr. Fraser. Alre'ady negotiations with the United Kingdom and Fiji Governments and Western Pacific High Commissioner had! resulted' in the establishment of a publie health and medical service for South Pacific- islands about whieh the House -would be informed later.