From the Islands Press

Agreement between hotels and (the P-NG) Administra tion on standard prices of beer has a great deal to commend it.

But many people will regret the agreement which relaxes dress standards in bars.

Papuans and New Guineans who can afford to spend 10/- a week in bars can afford to appear properly dressed in public places which ask this of them. Dress requirements should surely be left to the discretion of each individual publican.

It is as wrong to ask all hotels to admit shoeless natives as it is for all hotels to insist on shoes being worn.— Editorial in the “South Pacific Post”, Port Moresby. * * * IREAD with interest the recent statement in the Press about the record number of yachts in (Rarotonga’s) Avatiu Harbour this year. There is no doubt that the yachts make a very beautiful picture in the harbour.

It is, however, an unfortunate fact that a good number of the crew members of the yachts visit ing here seem to think they can dress and behave in any way they please.

It is not unusual for unshaven, ragged males to be parading the streets in bare feet—and though this is less true of the womenfolk, many of them seem to think that anything goes.— Letter from ‘‘No Snob” in “Cook Islands News”. * * * IN any island group (such as Fiji) whose connecting links are inevitably set fundamentally in the sea, the importance of sea training and the maintenance of the sea tradition is of the very first importance.

The folly of the destruction of the Fiji Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and of the obstinacy with which those in authority in Fiji have aggressively opposed all efforts to have their actions re considered, becomes increasingly clear as time goes on.

If war or any other disaster on a great scale should affect the South Pacific, Fiji’s continued life would almost certainly depend on the sea—to move people and to provide and carry food.

It is not too late to revive the Reserve, and this should have a high place in any planning for the future of Fiji.— Editorial in “The Fiji Times”. % ❖ >;?

THE number of crimes which have been committed (in Western Samoa) during the last few months prompts the question, is the police force adequate?

It is impossible to prevent all crime but a strong active police force could prevent the com mission of many offences. The first requirement of a strong force is manpower.

It is too much to expect the Government to find all the money which would be required for the immediate establishing of an ideal force, but some money could be provided and some improvement could be made if the Govern ment would divert to the police force a part of the money which is wasted in futile enterprises.— Letter from “Observer” in “Samoa Bulletin”. * * * IAM very glad to see that the Department of Agriculture has imported three hives of honey bees for the benefit of the farmers and, in fact, the island (of Niue) as a whole. 1 would like to point out that honey b:es are good insects. They have been kept by man for over 5,000 years, not only for the honey they make, but for the good they do to our crops, for without them very little fruit, grass, or food crops would grow.

If any person should see any of these busy little bees work on any flowers, please don’t hurt them, but let the Department of Agriculture know about it.

Letter from P. J. Walsh in “Niue Newsletter”.