European Planning Behind

That Melanesian Party

From a Honiara Correspondent It was a pleasure to old-timers in the Solomons to see that our latest “visiting firemen” from across the water were not altogether taken in by local window-dressing for their benefit.

THE visitors were Sir William Robson-Brown, MP, a Conserva tive member of the House of Commons and Mr. Fred Blackburn, MP, of the present UK Labour Gov ernment. These spent four days here in November, their tour being financed by the British Parliamentary Association but at the invitation of the very young BSIP Parliamentary Association which, needless to say, is without funds at the moment and probably will be so for ever more.

The majority of the members of the local association are Melanesians.

The visitors were probably pleased at the question of one of them, Mr.

Michael Rapasia, MLC, when he asked what was the best thing for the Solomon Islanders to do to keep under the British flag. It showed, if nothing else, that the UK grant-in-aid had not gone unnoticed by the peoples of the Solomons. If these people have leaders who can recog nise their present limitations, perhaps the BSIP will have a future after all.

Leader of the Melanesians at pre sent is Mariano Kelesi, who is not the type to hide his light under a bushel, although he, too, has mellowed in recent years.

Mariano Kelesi

When he was first appointed by the High Commissioner to the Legislative Council as an unofficial member he immediately gave the impresison that here was someone on his way to a political career. He could talk loudly, wave his arms around, and put in a joke or two to tone down his fiery words.

He is still a very young man but clever with it and perhaps beginning to realise the limitations of the Solo mon Islanders. He has been for tunate in having the guidance of a European fellow member of Legco, Mr. E. V. Lawson, through this early period.

He may claim that the idea of the Democratic Party was his, as he did when interviewed by PlM’s Robert Langdon ( PIM , Nov.. 1965), but, in

fact, the idea was largely that of Mr.

Lawson.

The idea and the aims of the party were handed over to Kelesi ready made, but he was not slow to figure out that he had got hold of something important. He then went a step further and inspired the new Gilbertese Party, as also reported in November PIM.

He could be going too fast but at least it can be said, even if he is not as moderate or tolerant as sometimes seems on the surface, that he can think big. Solomon Islanders are fortunate that they have such a man of their own race.

It was obvious the UK Parlia mentarians were impressed by him.

They were also impressed by Mr.

Michael Rapisia, MLC, who is a completely different sort of person.

He is an old man by Solomon Islands standards, does not speak fluently in English, but is possessed by a fortunate sense of humour. He entertained the MP’s in the manner

to which he was born—a “Loo look, all about”, and then feasting ar dancing girls, at his home village c Guadalcanal.

It is interesting to note that the] are no Chinese members of the new formed Democratic Party althouj the Chinese community is pressir for more representation in politic affairs in the Protectorate.

One indication of this is the recei formation of the Solomon Islam Chinese Association, whose objects a: to “encourage a friendly feeling ar unanimity among all the Chine: residing in the Protectorate on s matters involving the common goo to promote and protect their interest to improve their standard of livir and the economic development of tl Protectorate; and to promote goc community relations with people < all races.” A monthly newsletter ; Cantonese will be published.

Officers include Mr. Peter Li president; Mr. James Wang, chai man; Mr. C. H. Cheng, vie chairman.