From the Islands Press

PERHAPS the biggest problem for Fiji in the near future will arise from the land. There will not be enough of it for the population of Fiji. . .

What we thought would not happen so soon to Fiji is now be ginning to happen. Matanqali [tribal] lands, which used to be leased to immigrant [lndian] farmers are now being disputed.

The owners of these lands, at the expiry of the lease, want the lands to be returned to them for their own use. On the other hand, the immigrant farmers have been profitably using their leased lands.

Fiji cannot side-step the problem now facing her unless immediate steps are taken to search for ways to counter the crowding of Fiji and the scarcity of land available for use. Editorial in “Vo la gauna”, Fijian-language weekly, Suva.

OWNERS of dogs are reminded of their total liabilities and responsibilities in ensuring that their dogs are kept under proper control at all times. An extract from the present Niue Island Dogs Amendment Ordinance of 1958 reads: (a) If any dog, in any place, rushes at, attacks or startles any person whereby the life or limbs of any person are endangered, such dog may be immediately killed and the owner or keeper of the dog may be liable to a fine; (b) Any person, who sees a dog being at large in any place, biting or attacking any person, or who is himself bitten or attacked by such dog, may destroy the same without being answerable to the owner for any damage oc casioned thereby.— Public notice in the “Niue Newsletter”.

THERE appears to be general agreement that this country [Western Samoa] is committed to tourism by economic necessity if not by personal preference. But there are few who think that this potential is so hard to see that it is necessary to pay out £4,000 to experts to define it. There are even fewer who believe it is necessary to build a half million

pound hotel with government funds in order to capitalise on this industry. But perhaps the experts can prove the doubters wrong.

Any wise man listens to the voice of experience, but when all boiled down, the best of advice is merely plain commonsense, and this is not, as many of our politicians seem to think, a monopoly of overseas experts. The essence of leadership lies in the recognition of this commonsense. —Editorial in “Samoana”, Apia.

LAST night was truly a beautiful evening. The moon light—just right, the air—balmy, the sky—clear, the stars—bright, the aroma of flowers—pleasant, an overall impression of a travel folder tropical night.

All this lulls one into a sense of goodwill and serenity provided you don’t find yourself near the Hotel. The shocking stench from the stream brings one back to earth with a bang.

What a foul smell right at Rarotonga’s front door! The juicing factory has a waste pro ducts disposal problem—but at the moment they are far too generous in sharing it with the rest of Avarua.— Letter from Neil Mortimer in the “Cook Islands News”.

IN what way shall Papuans and New Guineans learn better about the modern way? The best way is to ask questions. Many Papuans and New Guineans are too shy to ask questions. This is not good enough. The more you ask questions the more you learn better.

We hope that all Europeans who work in the Territory will be prepared to answer such questions, I went to the rugby ground at Boroko. Above a gate there is a notice put up: “Members only”.

I read the notice, but I said to the man who collects money, “I want to pay If- and go round and sit under the kunai house”.

The man shouted, “Members only”. I asked him to explain to me why he said, “Members only”.

I asked him what is the difference if I paid 2/- and go and sit in

the kunai house through that gate. He shouted, “Go away, this is for the members only”.

I went away learning nothing from the question I asked. This shows me that some Europeans do not want to educate us or teach us to be like them.— Letter from James Anum, Teachers’

College, Port Moresby, in the “South Pacific Post”, Port Moresby.

SEMESA SIKIVOU has done a service to his fellow Fijians by pointing to one aspect of the London constitutional conference agreement which could seriously affect the nature and quality of future Fijian representation in the Legislative Council.

It is the proposal, apparently pressed on the conference by Mrs.

Eirene White and her Colonial Office colleagues, that any Fijian civil servant who is elected at the first election under the new con stitution must immediately resign, and that, in future elections, any Fijian civil servant must resign on declaring himself a candidate for election. This proposal, unless modified by some saving pro visions, is both unrealistic and un reasonable.

It fails to take into account the fact that, in the past, the principal avenue of employment open to Fijian scholars and those who, by tradition or achievement, have been accepted as leaders has been in the Government service.

This situation applies to a very large extent even now, and will certainly continue to do so.— Editorial in “The Fiji Times”, Suva.

Economically and socially, there is every indication of a new dawn, especially in the South Pacific. . . . Both American Samoa and Western Samoa are about to acquire a tourist industry. French Polynesia is undertaking an ambitious programme of public construction, Fiji continues to progress. The list of these in dications is almost endless, but certainly one of the most impor tant is the gradual raising of the educational level in South Pacific countries. Editorial in the “Samoa Times”, Pago Pago.