Other Things)

In Micronesia, They Want A New Name Too (Among Other Things)

In the vast expanse of ocean to the north and east of New Guinea, the idea of changing names seems to be catching.

FIRST, the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony’s Administration announced that it was seeking a new name for the colony because the existing one was not entirely accurate, rather cumbersome and too indicative of dependency ( PIM, July, p. 12).

Now, the people of the Caroline, Mariana and Marshall nrp in of thefr govern ment changed from ‘‘Government of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands" to “Government f iii • • of Micronesia . . , , . .

The territory s legis 1 a 1 1 v e council, the Congress of Micronesia, passed a resolution at its session m Smpan m July asking the US High Commissioner to take the matter up with the US Secretary of the Interior.

The resolution said that the islands of the territory were popularly and traditionally known as Micronesia; that their status as a trust territory was deemed transitional until the people decided on their ultimate political status; and that the suggested change of name would be “a step toward welding and fusing the islands of Micronesia into a viable political entity”.

The Congress of Micronesia

also passed a resolution asking the High Commissioner to make a thorough study of ways of pro moting tourism in the territory.

This resolution said that the “majestic islands of Micronesia” had been “richly endowed by mother nature with graceful coconut palms, captivating climate, sun-kissed maidens, pure-white sand, turquoise waters and rare shells” and that Micronesia was “one of the few remaining exotic places in the world” that was “blessed with abundant resources for a thriving tourist industry”.

A third resolution asked the High Commissioner to find ways and means whereby athletes of the territory could take part in future South Pacific Games.

The resolution said that Micro nesia would be unable to send athletes to the Second South Pacific Games in Noumea this year because of lack of funds. (It was not represented at the first Games in Suva, either).