Nutshell

In a Nutshell

Commercial gambling should not be allowed in the US Trust Territory of Micronesia “at this time”, accord ing to a report by an ad hoc com mittee on gambling. The report called on the Secretary of the In terior to outlaw commercial gam bling from January 1, 1976, the date present slot machine licences expire.

The recommendations were based on such factors as the increase in some crimes after the machines were introduced, municipal and TT governments were ill-equipped to monitor and police machines, a re cent disruption in individual econ omic stability and a decrease in per sonal savings accounts which sug gested that the majority of people playing the machines were residents and not tourists, and confusion about the exact extent of foreign influences and control in introducing and main taining slot machine activities in Saipan.

Bi Lingual Stamps

The New Hebrides had two new stamps scheduled for issue on April 29, one English and the other French. The design on the 10 franc stamps reflected the importance of cattle rearing in the New Hebrides, where planters run them on coconut plantations. There is a growing interest in beef cattle rearing, and substantial areas of bush have been cleared for grazing.

Royal Commission

Fiji’s royal commission into its electoral system is under way at last.

But it will be a long time before it reports to the government. The chair man, Professor Harry Street, 55, a British lawyer, visited Fiji in April for a few on-the-spot inquiries. He hopes written submissions will reach the commission secretary, Mr Rod ney Acraman, in Suva by August.

Mr Acraman will send the sub missions to all members of the com mission. Professor Street will return to Fiji in August with the other members of the commission, who have yet to be appointed.

Fatal Fight

Mr Tebetanga Teauoki, of Mara kei, GEIC, died almost immediately after a fight at Fanning Island late in March. He was a wireless operator.

Unions' Truce

An agreement between employer and trade union bodies in Papua New Guinea has averted strikes of any sort—for the time being. The PNG Employers’ Federation and the Trade Union Congress agreed on 13 claims put forward by the TUC, and agreed that a further seven claims should go to arbitration. The TUC will not consider strike action till after the arbitration results are announced.

Meanwhile, the trade union move ment in PNG could get stronger. The TUC represents unions in New Guinea, and a few in Papua, outside Port Moresby. The Port Moresby based Council of Trade Unions is considering a proposal to amalgamate with the TUC, which will create one powerful body to represent unions throughout the country.

New Png Work Force

The Papua New Guinea Govern ment will build up a large construc tion unit for big national develop ments, such as wharves, airports and roads. Included will be smaller self contained groups, capable of carry ing out specialist tasks at present undertaken by overseas contractors.

Whither Wuvulu

The future of Wuvulu Island to the north of the New Guinea main land, was scheduled for discussion at a meeting of the Papua New Guinea cabinet held at Alotau, in the Milne Bay District in April. The government holds as many cabinet meetings as possible outside Port Moresby.

Free Labour

Prisoners in Papua New Guinea will soon be forced into work gangs to help maintain roads and govern ment buildings. This work will get them away from prison confines, and from the government’s point of view the free labour will save money. The Cabinet, early in April, strongly approved the principle of prisoners contributing to community develop ment. In Fiji, prisoners are put to work, both inside and outside gaols on public works, such as keeping the Government House compound clean, and cutting grass in cemeteries. In Suva, it is not an uncommon sight to see a working party of a dozen or more prisoners wielding cane knives in the charge of a solitary warder, armed with nothing more than a baton.

Bang Control

Fireworks have been banned in Papua New Guinea. In future, fire works displays to mark important occasions will be organised under an

official’s eye, and the import of crackers will only be allowed by the Minister for Defence, Foreign Re lations and Trade. For several years, officers of the Department of Labour and Industry have been concerned about the uncontrolled sale of fire works. Many children and adults have been injured. On top of that, improper use of fireworks creates a fire hazard. Officially, all types of fireworks have been classified as “dangerous goods” under the cus toms regulations.

Chief Judge Retires

Mr Justice Fraser, Chief Judge of the High Court of the Cook Islands retired at the end of March on his 65th birthday. He was appointed Chief Judge and Judge of the Native Land Court on July 8, 1961, and later became Chief Judge of the Land Court. He has also acted as High Commissioner. New Zealand-born, Judge Fraser was with the old NZ Native Department (now the Depart ment of Maori Affairs) and after war service returned to the depart ment until he went to the Cook Islands.

Protected Snake

Reptile dealers in the United States are offering $1,500 for single specimens of a rare Papua New Guinea python. But the snake, unique to PNG, has been gazetted as a protected specimen. The snake is known as Boelen’s Python, and lives in the Highland Forests of PNG.

Wildlife officers are making checks with known fauna dealers to make sure that none of the snakes is being exported. The python is silky-black on the back, and bright yellow under the belly and sides. The long snouted Echidna of PNG has also been recently gazetted as a protected animal.

Marianas' Choice

The people of the Northern Mari anas in the United States Trust Terri tory of Micronesia will vote on June 17 whether they want to join the United States as a commonwealth or stay with the Marshalls and Carolines and eventually decide with them Micronesia’s political future. Wash ington named the plebiscite date and appointed a former editor of the Christian Science Monitor, Mr Erwin D. Canham, as plebiscite supervisor.

Observers from the United Nations and the US Congress have been in vited to oversee the voting and asso ciated activities such as the plebiscite education programme and voters’ registration. America has guaranteed a “fair and impartial” plebiscite.

• See p 26.