Office of the Higi Commission
for the Western Pacific,
Suva, Fiji*
9th August, 1939,
Sir,
I have the honour to inform you that during
discussions with the Resident Commissioner and Mr. H.E.Maude
the Officer in Charge of the Phoenix Islands Settlement
Scheme, on my recent visit to the Gilbert and JSllioe
Islands Colony, it was suggested that a "branch of the
Colony postal service should be established in Canton
Island in the Phoenix Group.     Mr* Maude stated that for
some time now the Acting Administrative Officer there had
"been receiving requests from stamp collectors and from the
considerable United States population now resident in the
island for supplies of Gilbert and Ell ice Islands Colony
postage stamps.     He has also received requests for the
acceptance of ready-stamped envelopes and packets for
postage, but he has been unable to comply as there is no
British Post Office in the island*     This demand will
undoubtedly be largely increased in the near future in
view of the proposed calls at the island of United States
trans-Pacific air services*
2.     In view of the obvious benefit to Colony revenue
which would result from the establishment of British postal
facilities in the island, I recommend for your approval the
early establishment there of such facilities under the
control
The Eight Honourable
The Secretary of State for the Colonies.

control of the Acting Administrative Officer.U Ho extra
expense would he Involved* There la also the farther
consideration that postal matter emanating from Canton
Island stamped with British stamps would show the publi
that the.island is not an exclusiTe American territory.
8»     I shall he glad to receive your approval hy
telegraph.
I have| etc*
(8gd«)H.O. Luke
High. Commissioner*