Playing rough in the Solomons

With self-government and then independence looming, the Solomon Islands are in the midst of a boots-and-all, with-few-holds barred, election campaign. It’s all very gentlemanly in the rural areas but Honiara is \vhere the action is. Not even the most experienced of political observers believed things could get so bitter in so short a time. Slanging your opponent is run of the mill but rough play was introduced early candidates’ posters being torn down at night. Complaints have Been lodged with the police about all sorts of infringements and once-good friends are no longer talking to each other. There are six candidates but only two seem to matter as far as a winner is concerned—Peter Salaka, the sitting member and trade union leader, and his young challenger, Ashley Wickham. Both are from the Western Solomons and both have had some schooling in Australia. Salaka, Communica tions and Works Committee chairman in the last Govco, bills himself as the workers' friend and the “Apostle of progress”. He is certainly clothing some of the people—with T-shirts bearing election slogans Wickham is hoping for support from the public service and the educated elite , and he hasn t been slow in deprecating the business activities of some members of Govco who managed to further their business interests while in office. The other four candidates are, Colin Bentley president of Salaka’s Honiara Workers’ Association, who could split the workers vote; teacher Stephen Sipolo, believed to have the backing of the so-far silent Solomons United National Party; Moses Pitakaka civil servant who may get support from outer islands groups in town • and unemployed mechanic Paul Belande, the rank outsider