From the Islands Press

THE shocking figures for the spread of venereal disease in this country [Western Samoa] can be traced to a variety of causes, but most of the blame can be sheeted home to a weak-kneed attitude to the liquor problem.

The Government has con sistently refused to accept the fact that large amounts of liquor are being consumed throughout Western Samoa, and the distri bution is almost completely un controlled . . .

The Government must realise that the people of this country are able to drink intelligently. It is up to the authorities to allow them to drink in properly controlled, pleasant surroundings, so that drinking may be a normal part of adult social life, instead of a secret vice.— Editorial in the “Samoa Bulletin”, Apia.

IF the Fiji Jaycees are sincerely interested in identifying them selves with the future of this country [Fiji], then they should, as a necessary condition of this identification, try to persuade the Fiji Indians to sever all their links with India and align them selves With the indigenous Fijians, who are the source of the political sovereignty which Britain now exercises over Fiji.— Letter from Gone Ni Tabani vono, in “The Fiji Times”, Suva.

IDO not habitually support the inertia of the Australian Gov ernment, but I would like to join the other dogs barking about the proposed Territory university [in Papua-New Guinea].

Is there any real need for such a white elephant except to impress others with our “pro gress” and “sophistication”?

I know that there are some very bright folk in the Territory . . . I believe the educators are trying hard . . . But the fact remains: the general standard of education is low; therefore the matriculation level will be low; therefore the graduation level will be low.

There might be as many as 2,000 matriculants by 1970, which is the earliest year of commencement at the present

rate. Perhaps five per cent, of these would be university material . . . Allowing some failures (Aus tralian rates are 30 to 50 per cent.) and delayed graduations over three and four-year courses, we can anticipate 50 graduates at the end of 1973, 65 in 1974, 75 in 1975; charitably 200.

Now, the buildings are estimated at £A6 million, which will doubtless mean £lO million h the end. Converting to decimals, which will then be in force, this works out at $2O million, plus a conservative $3 million per annum, or $35 million for the first 200 degrees —5175,000 each. And don’t forget, they will only be recog nised (if at all) as minor degrees. —Letter from Peter Wallis Manning, Port Moresby, in the “South Pacific Post”, Port Moresby.

I HAVE recently returned from a visit to our northern island [of the Cook Group]. I was through these islands in 1962 and cannot help but make com parisons. The thing that has astounded me most is the serious increase in drunkenness. . . .

Dances have become such sources of strife and immorality that they have to be disbanded. Serious accidents on the roads and else where are increasing, and, with them, the loss of life. Much of the money earned is going to the bond for “liquid refreshments”, while good food, necessary cloth ing and decent homes are left wanting. —Letter from Gordon A. Lee in the “Cook Islands News”. ris encouraging that the Con stitution of American Samoa is being revised to provide a new Bill of Rights. We hope this will make possible an extension of civil liberties throughout the Territory.

We also hope the Constitution will be revised further in accord ance with a certain principle, held in common with democratic governments throughout the world, including that of the United States—namely, the right of the people to decide, through their legally elected representa

tives, how their tax money is to be spent.

Now that the Federal Govern ment no longer claims that American Samoans are too immature to pay taxes, there is no longer any excuse for denying them control over the Territorial budget.— Editorial in the “Samoa Times”, Pago Pago.

THE sooner more people, par ticularly politicians, acknow ledge that changes have to be made to adapt traditional custom to a modern economy, the sooner the standard of living in Samoa can be raised and, at the same time, the society will gain the stability necessary to withstand the growing pressures of its rapidly increasing population.— Editorial in “Samoana”, Apia.

IAM a retailer dealing in tourist goods, and as such, feel obliged to express my con sidered opinion on the trading which is being permitted [in Fiji] on Sundays and public holidays whenever a ship is in port.

This has become all the more important since provision for the same practice, it is understood, has been embodied in the pro posed Shop Hours Regulations, which are to become effective in 1965.

Myself, and, I am sure, many more retailers, are opposed to trading on Sundays and public holidays on the following grounds: (1) Such practices are not per mitted in Australia or New Zealand where the influx of tourists arriving is higher in com parison to Fiji. (2) Shop assistants do not willingly consent to serve on Sundays and holidays since they naturally feel inclined to pass their weekend with their families. (3) Shopkeepers, themselves, feel reluctant and embarrassed to ask their employees for service on these days, since they appreciate the fact that the employees are obliged to consent in the absence of any alternative.

If trading is not permitted on these days, the shipping com panies’ agents can advise their head offices to arrange the ships itinerary to avoid a call on Sunday. —Letter from “A Re tailer”, in “The Fiji Times”.