The Editor's Mailbag

A Condominium

Complaint

[ refer to the letter “A Condo nium Complaint” (PIM, Oct, p 17) the anonymous “Vila Correspon it”. I doubt that many would dis ee with the princiole that the igenous population of any country >uld be given priority for employ nt if they can match the qualifica as of imported labour, Un tunately in the New Hebrides (only :ause of the lack of adequate train opportunities) indigenous qualifi ions are sadly lacking and this is vexed issue in implementing the nt Immigration Regulation referred in “Vila Correspondent’s” letter, fhe main purpose of this letter is comment, particularly on the tenor the above anonymous letter which in effect, a statement on behalf of New Hebrides National Party, IM readers may be surprised to rn that there are other political ties in the New Hebrides which, I uld suggest, are far more re sentative of the views of indigenous w Hebrideans and others than is National Party. t is accepted that the National *ty is British-oriented, and subject many outside influences, fhis party has fulfilled a useful pose in the past of accelerating political awareness of indigenous w Hebrideans. It has, at times, :n responsible for constructive icism and a notable achievement its record is a recent Joint Regula i allowing appeals from Native urts to the Joint Court, however, the bitter racial policies espouses and the attempt to trans nt racial philosophies that have no jvance to the New Hebrides have ded to earn it the contempt of w Hebrideans and non-New brideans alike. The recent bizarre ident where the party leaders used occasion of the death of one of ir members as a suitable occasion air the party’s land policies lost s group any credibility it may have I as being representative of the w Hebridean attitudes. [ believe that the bitterness and the ialism that increasingly dominates National Party thinking is idamentally alien to the New bridean character and inspired gelv from outside sources.

People in the New Hebrides tire of iring, and reading (particularly in

English-speaking publications, both local and abroad) of nothing but the view of the National Party.

I would suggest to the editors and readers of PIM that in trying to ascertain the political aspirations of the New Hebrides they would do well to pay increasing attention to the policies of the UCNH and MANN parties and Nagriamal movement.

These three groups have recently acted jointly to effectively counteract the extremist views of the National Party.

D. H. Curtis

Vila, New Hebrides.

Png Land

Having read about some of the Papua New Guinea tribal disputes over land, it appears to me that the govern ment there, in looking for guidance, should go past the traditional British systems of freeholds, leaseholds, etc.

The government should take control of all land use administered by regional authorities. The use of land should be designated.

The principle should be established that private citizens should not profit through community-planning decis ions. The private controlled non-use of land should be avoided by new forms of freehold and leasehold titles, or introducing land use rights, based on use and non-use.

If any one would like more infor mation about this system I would be only too happy to oblige.

G. L. Lamont

Hurlstone Park, NSW.

Ngvr-Angau Calling

The NGVR-ANGAU Association has been in existence for a few years now, and we would be glad if we could get in contact with more of our former comrades. We would like to enlarge our association in NSW and possibly Australia and Papua New Guinea.

A lot of addresses are known but we would like to hear of a lot more if possible.

Current office bearers are Roy MacSween, President (345952), 8 Prince Edward Circle, Kingsford, NSW 2032; Clarrie James, secretary (820691 x 11); Alan Moore, trea surer (5872982) 3/2A Hamilton Street, Carlton, NSW 2218. Tony Dunne is the publicity officer.

We meet at Kensington War Me

morial Club, Goodwood Street, Ken sington, on Anzac Day for our re union and annual meeting and other meetings as required. The subscrip tion is $1 to join the association.

J. MOORE (for the Secretary).

Sydney.

Nauruan Workers

I refer to A. M. Kanani’s letter in August, 1974, issue of PIM (p 25).

Mr Kanani answered the first of three questions in the second para graph of his letter by saying that President Deßoburt “. . . has lost his feeling for those who are . . in the final paragraph of the letter.

He appears to know about the Pre sident’s feelings and if so, he must know the answers to the queries he made initially in his letter. Perhaps he can tell us the answers.

He made the claim that the De- Roburt Government displays a dis tressing lack of concern for its skilled workers. This may be the case as he claims, but has he given thought to the fact that these “skilled workers” could be and probably have been guilty of the claim he made of the government?

Mr Kanani referred to Nauruans with “European skills” to receive commensurate salaries. What are these “European skills?”

Finally, it may interest your read ers to know that in the Nauruan language the word “Kanani” means “show off” or “big poser”.

L. D. Keke.

Northcote, Vic.

Blackbirding

I am researching for a novel set in the Pacific Islands labour trade era (the blackbirders), and would be glad to see any original material from Island or North Queensland residents giving authentic back ground. No real names will be men tioned in the novel, which will be set in North Queensland and Tanna, New Hebrides.

Keith Willey

8 Line Place, Weetangera, ACT 2614

• Correspondents are reminded that names and addresses must be in cluded on letters to the editor, not necessarily for publication, although preference is given to those which are signed for publication.