Nutshell
pp. 121-122 · Read in the full issue
In a Nutshell
JET CRASH.—A Pan-Am Boeing 'O7 crashed shortly after take-off from Papeete on July 22 (Tahiti time) and 78 of 79 passengers and crew were killed. The plane, on its way from Auckland to Los Angeles, plunged into the sea a mile outside the port . Cop A n. r. r breakwater. Seconds after take-off, the pi r J p 9 rt f ed a smashed windscreen for an emergency landing The plane did a tight turn and then
bodied were *re
afterwards covered shortl y afterwards.
Censors Relent.—The West-
ern Samoan Films Censorship Committee has shown itself rather generous to the Savalalo Grand Theatre in Apia. Previously, it had banned The Body and Flesh in Fire but recently it has withdrawn the bans after further showings. The Body represented a significant decision, permitting nudity for “scientific and educational” purposes. The ban on Stop has not been lifted because of scenes of lesbianism and male homosexuality.
NIUE’S BAN. —In Melbourne, it is “ban the can”. On Niue Island it is “ban the bottle”. Niue will not allow any more bottled beer in after July because of broken glass pro blems. But canned beer will be al lowed. Personal injury, punctured tyres and broken bottles on the boat wharf, which cost the government $l,OOO a year, are the reasons for the ban. But exporters, two breweries in New Zealand are unworried. One already exports to the Pacific only in cans, and for the second a change from bottles to cans will not present a problem.
Localisation. Papua New
Guineans will hold all District Com missioner posts by July, 1974. Four of them are already DCs, and a further seven are expected to be ap pointed by the end of 1973. Current expatriate DCs have been asked if they would like alternative positions in the PNG public service.
SEAMEN SUNK.—The Fiji Regi strar of Trade Unions, Mr Raman Ku rup, has suspended the registration of the Fiji Dockworkers’ and Seamen’s Union. The registrar alleged that the union had infringed the Trade Unions Ordinance by not keeping account books at its registered office and had failed to submit annual returns to him.
Niue Population.— The Popu
lation of Niue Island has fallen by 11.4 per cent since the 1971 census.
Justice Department figures show a population of 4,419 (2,259 males and 2,160 females). In the 1971 census there was a population of 4,990 (2,507 males and 2,483 females). The net natural increase was 140, but the net loss from migration was 711. More than half the population, 2,377, is in the 0-14 age group. Other groupings are: 15-29, 815; 30-44, 554; 45-59, 349; over 60, 324.
NEW STAMPS. —New stamp is sues are coming thick and fast in the Pacific Islands. Six territories will have issued stamps in 28 different denomin ations by the end of the year. The GEIC has four to commemorate the centenary of the World Meteorological Organisation in 3c, 10c, 35c and 50c denominations, scheduled for release on November 26. Pitcairn had a set featuring five flowers issued late in June in 4c, Bc, 15c, 20c and 35c values. Western Samoa released a $2 “green turtle” stamp on June 18, and on August 20 will follow it up with four more of 2,8, 20 and 22 sene. Fiji showed development in a series released on July 23 in sc, Bc, 10c and 25c denominations. Papua New Guinea shows familiar scenes of life, culture or natural beauty in a series of six released on June 13 in Ic, 7c, 9c, 15c, 25c and 40c de nominations. The final issue from Nauru, late in July, shows aspects of life on the island in 7c, 25c, 30c and 50c denominations.
Png Buys More Bp Shares.—
The Investment Corporation of Papua New Guinea took up a further 13.5 per cent of the paid capital of Burns Philp (New Guinea) Ltd, in July to give it a total of 26 per cent of the issued capital. Consider ation was $1.7 million.
Burns Philp (NG) Ltd, is the big gest subsidiary of Burns Philp and Co Ltd. The Investment Corporation latest buy gives it the right to nomin ate a second member of the board of Burns Philp (NG) Ltd, to join its first nominee, Mr L. G. C. Moyle.
The corporation also bought a 20 per cent interest in Territory Glass and Aluminium Pty Ltd and TGA Pty Ltd, two Australian-controlled com panies with links with Pilkington ACT Ltd. They make glass, aluminium win dow frames and doors. When formed in 1972, Territory Glass and Alumin ium was given pioneer status, exempt ing it from taxation for five years.