From the Islands press

ONE afternoon I was listening to one of the professors of American history.

He gave such an interesting talk about the battle between the Japanese and the Americans on Betio. We were so surprised when he told us he was one of the Americans who fought in the battle.

Then, he said that before he left for America, he thought that he would see a monument to honour those who lost their lives during the battle.

But when he arrived he could not find any such memorial.

I sat on my chair feeling very ashamed because I think that it is 25 years now since the war and nothing has been done in memory of those who lost their lives in order to save us from the Japanese.

I wonder if the people of Tarawa could not build and equip a building which would honour those brave young men and at the same time benefit the com munity. thus promoting the ideal of service to others for which they gave their lives. — Letter from Lise Moeafu in the GEIC news letter, “Colony Information Notes”, Tarawa.

THE crew and officers of the two US destroyers, USS Edwards and Chevalier, seemed to enjoy their brief stopover in Pago Pago.

In fact, so much so that the ships had difficulty reassembling their crews for departure.

Both the Island Moon and Pago Bar enjoyed a booming business, complete with prone sailors and a few brawls, A local resident was heard to remark that the Navy was certainly upholding tradition of long standing.

One of the destroyers issued a brief warning blast and departed about 6 p.m. As it turned around and headed for the open sea, two sailors were seen anxiously flag ging the local launch, Faafetai, to “follow that ship”.

The destroyer slowed and the sailors were hoisted aboard.

Last seen, they were “double timing it” towards a group of officers on the bridge, anxiously checking uniform creases and the shine of their belt buckles on the

way. Item in the “News Bulletin”, Pago Pago.

FREEDOM of the press has arrived in Yap District (Caroline Islands).

The first independent Yapese Newspaper, the Mogethin, rolled off the presses on January 26, 1968.

The idea for establishing Mogethin has been in the minds of several of the Yapese people for some time and the necessary decisions and preparations for the new paper were made towards the end of 1967.

The Mogethin, which means “what’s new?” has an all-Micro nesian staff which is being assisted by Peace Corps Volunteer ad visers. The paper is being printed at the Good News Press, which is located at the Protestant Mission.

Financial support and material support for the paper is coming from private and government advertising, subscription fees, and funds supplied by the Community Action Program. Item in the “Marianas Bulletin”, Saipan.

THERE is every indication that this month could be the driest February for Lord Howe Island on record. Only 11 points of rain have been recorded . . . and these few points were recorded over three separate days.

The dry weather is having a disastrous effect on pastures on the island. Many old-time resi dents state that it is hard to remember the grass having suffered to the present extent.

The hot, sunny days and clear skies have provided wonderful tourist weather . . . but even tourists are looking for rain now to lay the dust on the roads and freshen up the many lawn areas around the island.

Several homes and some guest houses are short of tank water and are obtaining supplies from other sources. Item in the “Signal”, Lord Howe Island.

IWISH the [Western Samoan] Government would make clear its policy with regard to road maintenance. It has all the appearance of being like the Potlatch deal.

If the road to the airport

deteriorates at the present rate, it will not be long before I cannot use my car, and if the government does not intend to do repairs then it would be better for me to order one of the small hovercraft for use on the road.

Seeing that there is not even patching going on it appears that the trouble must be lack of money, and if this is the case, then I can well imagine the Cabinet deciding to make the usual poor group of taxpayers bail them out again.

When are we going to hear of a member of parliament with enough courage arising from un selfish thought, proposing a poll tax?

I have spoken to many a Samoan who thinks this should be done.

Of course, anything under the name of tax is unpopular, but there is a painless way of collect ing and that is through the church.

No matter what amount of money the church asks the Samoans for, they always seem to get it. I suggest that a special tax be put on the churches until our financial state improves, and I am sure the money will be forth coming. Letter from “Tax ridden”, in “The Samoa Times”, Apia. r E response of the Transport Control Board to remarks on the transport system in these islands [Western Samoa] is enough to take a reader’s breath away.

Government is evidently prepared to tolerate the fact that safety for the public must be sacrificed for the sake of convenience.

Part of the overhead which must be borne by bus operators and boat owners, apart from items like dishonest accounting of fares by some employees, is the tax on fuels.

Twelve sene a gallon on motor spirits, four sene on diesel. For this tax payment they receive absolutely nothing to help them in providing an essential service.

The whole amount, some $175,000 in 1966, disappears in the limbo of General Revenue. —Editorial in “The Samoa Times”, Apia.

IF the eternal “tourism” of Suva were kept in its right place in relation to the affairs of Fiji, perhaps we could learn more of the real problems of the country and our government devote more

)f its time to solving the problems >f remote districts.

My wife received a letter a ew days ago from a sister in Jouthern Lau describing the hard hip suffered by the people in hat area resulting from hurricane md drought.

With sometimes only one meal l day of finger-thick tapioca or :umala, life in Southern Lau is ather a contrast to that of the yell-fed citizens of Suva.

In normal times copra proceeds ould provide what root crops acked but the hurricane damage if the last few years still has its ftermath in greatly reduced or ion-existent coconut yield.

Government assistance has nerely become a gesture with iags of rice.

Government vessels, usually neandering around Fiji with elaxing officials enjoying the sea ir, could be diverted to the iseful task of transporting Lauans d their destinations for three lonth periods of work.

If necessary, part of, or all, lie costs of transport could be orne by interested planters who ould also advance on wages for nmediate use by the relatives of le men in their food problems.— ,etter from W. Smith, Navodo, Mkaudrove, in “The Fiji Times”, CWO unexplained lights in the sky over Rabaul puzzled labaul residents late last year.

First reports came from a DCA mployee who could be con dently expected not to confuse 'hat he saw with (a) a balloon, b) an aircraft, or (c) a satellite.

On a clear night recently this bserver reported having seen a right light travelling east-west bove the town.

At a point above the town the ght changed course and travelled irectly upwards, diminishing in ize. Its colour was orange-white.

The second sighting, a few ights afterwards, was made by a oung European corporal of the NGVR, who was on training xercises in a near-Rabaul area.

His UFO travelled north-south, lowed a distinct tail, as that of small comet, and soon after bservation, veered upward and anished to a pinpoint.

Both lights were visible for bout 30 minutes.

Question: Who is looking at us? -Item in “Rabaul Reporter”.