tediously, appealingly,

So, we're infuriatingly, tediously, appealingly, inadequately readable?

Hundreds of people took time off to give us their views on PIM. Most were flattering, a few were not. Here is a selection of comments — favourable and not so favourable.

“ PlM’s presentation is excellent.

The standard of journalism is very high and the quality of the paper good. It is one of the few journals that has kept up its standards over the years.” (Port Moresby.) “I very much enjoy the up-to-the minute personalities and news bits— a good cross sectional treatment of the South Pacific. More power to you and God’s blessings in 1969.” (Bundi, P-NG.) “The overall style is light, almost casual, and this is what makes PIM more appealing.” (Port Moresby.) “Sir, —The Pacific Islands Monthly news magazine is one of the best magazines or books that I ever came across because it gives me all the information I need in the school to study about my neighbouring countries. I wish you all a happy New Year.” (Goroka, P-NG.)

On the other hand ...

“PIM might be called New Guinea- Fiji Monthly. If you stop printing trivial happenings about these two countries, you might have some space for some of the more important happenings of smaller countries and earn yourself additional readers.” (Boroko, P-NG.) “News from the New Hebrides is grotesquely inadequate. Looks as though there is a good deal of crime hushed-up here, and not by the British.” (Vila, NH.) “People must be about fed up with the Rabi-Banaban story appearing in so many copies of PIM lately.” (Tarawa, GEIC.) “We have to do research to find out what some of the abbreviations mean—also some of the phrases that are most familiar to Pacific ‘old hands’. But we’re learning.” (Pago Pago, American Samoa.) “New Caledonia does not get as much coverage as it should. P-NG

gets too much. BSIP could do with more. Has the word Nuigini been officially accepted? If not, why use it?” (Honiara, BSIP.) “Suggest you hire some staff mem bers who have spent some time other than in Papua-New Guinea and Fiji.” (Papeete, Tahiti.)

And yet...

“Every article in every issue of PIM is terrific, fantastic and lively.” (Port Moresby, Papua.) “Eminently readable. What I like best about PIM is its ability to attack constructively when something or somebody is radically wrong.” (Konedobu, Papua.) “An excellent, all-round magazine.

Keep it as it is, with plenty for every one. It is the only source of much valuable news and background infor mation. In my opinion it’s the best general magazine in Australia today . . . Please continue to keep it free from ‘bull’ and sex. I like responsible journalism and am delighted with PIM.” (West New Britain.) “A very excellent magazine for keeping up to date with Islands news, especially for teaching purposes as it is the only one from which we can get information about other islands.” (Nukualofa, Tonga.) “PIM gives one an amazing in

sight into a part of the world that is off the map newswise here.” (Durban, South Africa.) “I find your monthly useful and interesting. Your background infor mation is often passed on to our Board of Directors when decisions have to be taken regarding further investment in the territory.” (Singa pore.) “See Editorial in Vol. XXII, No. 2 (September, 1951). Your journal has come a long way since then, and I kid myself that the then editor took note of what I wrote at the time.

At least the kind of thing I then objected to was thereafter eliminated and PIM has been much healthier.

Percy Chatterton is an old cobber of mine. PIM is for me worth the money to have ‘To the Point’ month by month. I consider his contribu tions admirable.” (Drummoyne, NSW.) This comment comes from Mr. N. Nixon who, in September 1951, wrote a letter to PIM alleging that the magazine showed racial bias. —Ed.

However...

“We are sick to death of New Guinea and acting politicos talking in Pidgin and excessive emphasis on their importance and the anti-white tone of the paper {you don’t have to live with them); and of Percy Chat

Anyway, we get around. American reader John Hance, of Vermont, sent us his comments in this form.

terton’s moralising and missionising, and the Befores, and a thousand other things. We want to hear about the Islands' ’ (Suva, Fiji.) “Let’s have less of Fiji politics— it’s getting boring.” (Palmyra, West Australia.) “There are other places in Papua beside Port Moresby. Let’s read more about them!” (Milne Bay, Papua.) “Emotionally you’re still fighting World War II.” (Sydney, NSW.) “Local Fiji items interesting. Long winded tales of happenings in New Guinea parliament are particularly boring.” (Suva, Fiji.) “I am always infuriated by lack of a scale on sketch maps.” (Lautoka, Fiji.)

And then again ...

“I read it to keep up with the region where I may yet settle some day. So just keep it up.” (New York.) “No complaint. Good luck for 1969. PIM is all interesting for a bloke who has been 22 years in the Solomons.” (Auki, BSIP.) “I have been reading PIM for more than 20 years. The first time I read a copy was when I was still at school. It was passed on to me by my uncle. PIM is the only maga zine in which you can read about other parts of the Pacific.” (Raro tonga, Cook Is.) “Although the price is clearly marked 3/9d in Fiji, why do we have to pay 4/- a copy in Labasa?” (Labasa, Fiji.) You shouldn't have to. PIM pays freight. New Fiji price following decimal changeover is 35c—refuse to pay more.

“I wish to thank you for the stock exchange tip on Burns Philp shares.

Don’t forget to let us know when you have more”. (Granville, NSW.) “One thing missing is the feminine touch”. (Nauru.) “Considering the HP/203 battery shaver on p. 142 is very needed so I wish to get one if it is possible.

Please give me complete details and price”. (Nukualofa, Tonga.) The makers have gone into action.

“Why not a bigger coverage of sport, local and otherwise?” (Southern Highlands, P-NG.) “Would appreciate more news stories and longer regular columns”. (Noumea.) “Stuart Inder’s ‘Up Front’ is some times superb, sometimes tedious. Tell him to write it only when he has something to say”. (Port Moresby.) “More contributions are needed from Pacific Islanders”. (Noumea.)