frp, the islands press

• A selection from the columns of Islands news papers and newssheets chosen for their topical interest.

IN Samoa we cannot expect to ad vance while we maintain our present outlook towards work. The trouble is that Nature has been too kind to us. It takes little effort to provide our people with the basic necessities of life—food, clothing and housing.

That has been all very well in the past, but today we demand more amenities —education, health services, reading, etc. That costs money— much money—which can only be ob tained by growing a surplus of crops to export, and that surplus can only be obtained by extra effort on every one’s part. Editorial, “Samoa Bulletin”.

I WOULD honestly state here that dogs serve us no useful purpose at all, and what they are for is any body’s guess. I hold the view that dogs are a nuisance to the community and have done more harm than good to human beings. This is obvious fact on Niue.

Today, nearly every home owns a dog and some people own three to four dogs, and they are not treated kindly either. What’s the reason for owning more than one dog? I just don’t know.

It is obvious that dogs are let loose because their owners cannot look after or feed them properly. Con siderable damages have already been experienced by poultry farmers and, in all cases, these hungry dogs are responsible for the damages.

The public will agree that dogs con tribute a lot to lower the health con ditions of their masters and the com munity. Their faces (sic) are said to be deadly harmful to public health. —Letter from “Observer*’ in “Niue Newsletter”.

A PLEASANT surprise awaited the school bus driver when he stopped at Anabar catchment shed recently. There was a sharp blast from a whistle and the children, who had been playing energetically while waiting for the bus, quickly assembled into two smart lines and marched into their bus.

The delighted driver then dis covered that the mothers in the dis trict were responsible for the new order. Their women’s organisation decided that more discipline was needed at the bus stop and arranged for a mother to be on duty each day. —News item in “Nauru News”.

POLICE dogs of the Tonga Police Force are to take an increasing part in apprehending criminals, ac cording to the roneoed Tonga Press News, issued by the Premier’s Office at Nukualofa.

The News said recently: “In re sponse to a complaint received from the Tonga College authorities at Atele regarding thefts of sweet potatoes from the College plantation, Police Dog Caesar and a team of police led by the Dog-master, Sgt. ’Akau’ola, after inspecting the plantation, went to work.

“After 6i hours trailing through heavy bush, Police Dog Caesar led the police party into the village of Veitongo and thereafter to a house at nearby Lotohaapia, where the criminal had sold some sweet potatoes. Police inquiries followed and two arrests were made.

“Good work was done by the dog and his handler, and it is anticipated that the Police Dogs of the Tonga Police Force will now be taking an increasing part in apprehending criminals.

“The two offenders, whose names have not yet officially been released, are now awaiting trial.”