Meanwhile... in other Islands

Geic Governor

Hits At Britain

The Governor of the Gilbert and illice Islands, Mr John Hilary ►mith, recently brought a touch of ealism to the, so-far, rather one-sided rgument about self-government for he Banabans on Ocean Island. At a ress conference in London he lashed ut at his employer, the UK Govern lent, for failing to attempt a refut tion of the Banabans’ arguments.

Mr Smith, setting the record raight, confessed he was on the de of the GEIC administration in le argument. And he said in plain ords that he did not think Ocean ;land had much of a future once 1 the phosphate was mined in the jxt two or three years.

Once all the phosphate was mined, cean Island would be uninhabitable, ; said. “There was no water; water id to be shipped in by British losphate Commission ships. There as no anchorage, and the GEIC [ministration could never afford to aintain ship moorings.

“In fact, it is rather miserable”, ' said. There was no water; water ! but about 100 of the Banabans and left. They could not get out fast ough”.

Mr Smith explained that the Bana ns did very nicely out of royalties >m Ocean Island phosphate. They rsonally received 15 per cent of phosphate proceeds, plus land its and tonnage royalties.

Out of the latest budget of sl9 llion for the GEIC, sls million s to come from phosphate revenue, e GEIC expects to get SSO million •m phosphate in the next two years : ore deposits are exhausted. If the nabans got that money, the rest of GEIC people would suffer great 'dship.

Vlr Ted Rowlands, Under-Secretary

State at the Foreign and Common alth Office, was in the GEIC in ffember. But his government is efully keeping out of the argument, ing any independence question is sly one for the GEIC Government, ich has rejected the Banabans’ im.

Tie second phase in the multi lion dollar action brought by the rabans against the British Phos te Commissioners is expected to t in the High Court in London

in November before Mr Justice Megarry.

Mr Justice Megarry has heard evi dence and addresses on the first claim, for between $5 million and $lO million, sought by the Banabans, who alleged that the BPC on Ocean Island, failed to replant mined land, and mined unleased land.

He then adjourned the hearing so that he could visit Ocean Island. This was on the 66th day of the hearing.

The suggestion that the judge visit the island was first proposed in April, but was opposed by the BPC and the British Government, on the grounds that the advantage would be out weighed by the disadvantage in costs (estimated at about $400,000) and delay to the hearing. The judge may also visit Rabi Island in Fiji where the Banabans were resettled.

Happy Days

For Norfolk?

The Royal Commission, which is being conducted by Australian judge Sir John Nimmo into the future status of Norfolk Island, is unearth ing an assortment of facts, many un connected. One hints that the island may have a prosperous future; that it is sitting on a tremendous reser voir of fresh water and that there may be oil in sedimentary beds off the east coast.

A witness, retired oil engineer Mr Gordon C. Duvall, of Cascade, told Sir John that near sea-level there appeared to be a thick, water saturated zone holding very consider able quantities of fresh water. The amount had not been calculated, but 64 inches of rain recorded in 1974 would produce thousands of millions of gallons of fresh water. Mr Duvall, who also said there could be oil in sedimentary beds off the island’s east coast, added that Norfolk had been part of the continent of Gondawana land, which existed 200 million years ago but broke up.

Another fact which emerged was the “completely intolerable” tax bur den being carried by Burns Philp according to the company’s financial adviser, Mr H. L. Thomas, who said the amount of tax demanded from the firm jeopardised the future of its trading activities on the island.

Because of various taxes stemming from the 1973 Income Tax Act,

Burns Philp was assessed at 82.6 per cent of its profit from its island trad ing in 1973, 75.4 per cent in 1974 and the 1975 assessment would be more than 70 per cent.

After tracing the history of the company on the island, since its ships first started trading there in 1895, Mr Thomas said represent ations to the Taxation Department had drawn the comment that the company was an unfortunate casualty of an act designed to plug a loophole exploited by other companies.

Mr Thomas also said the Taxation Department has not taken advantage of its powers of discretion, except to make the company pay the highest possible taxation. The Australian company tax of 45 per cent (reduced to 42 J per cent in the latest budget) made a reasonable profit doubtful.

There was also a withholding tax of 30 per cent from any dividends paid.

That Norfolk Island, with local self-government, would best be served by remaining a territory of Australia, was the view of the retiring Administrator, Air-Commodore E.

T. Pickerd.

Air-Commodore Pickerd, wearing his “private” hat, said in evidence that the present constitutional relationship with Australia should be preserved, but modified to provide for a Norfolk Island Executive Council. That council would adminis ter the island for the Australian Government. There was a need for evolutionary change to meet current social and economic conditions for the next decade.

At present, Norfolk Island was experiencing dynamic changes in most facets covered by the commis sion’s terms of reference. Some of those changes would need to be de veloped, others accommodated and many needed to be stilled. But all should be subject to codified control, preferably by local legislation, Air- Commodore Pickerd said. • The Royal Commission expects to hear evidence from a number of Australian Government departments and about 20 private individuals and organisations at a sitting scheduled to start in Canberra early in October.

Late in August, the Royal Com missioner and his staff, left Norfolk Island for about 10 weeks. Tran scripts of evidence given in Canberra will be flown to Norfolk Island. Sir John Nimmo will probably return to Norfolk Island later this year to hear further evidence.

Ghost' Walks

In Pago Pago

From FELISE VA’A in Pago Pago On October 19, 1974, NBC-TV telecast a programme on American Samoa as part of its new “Weekend” series. According to many witnesses, who viewed the programme here, the programme tended to derogate the status of the territory as well as Governor John Haydon, who left American Samoa in October, 1974, Whether NBC deliberately planned to slander the governor and his ad ministration, as Governor Haydon maintained in a subsequent complaint to the National News Council of the United States, is, as the council put it, a moot point.

In its written decision regarding the governor’s complaint, the council stated: “We do not find or imply that Governor Haydon’s administra tion of Samoa, or the entire Ameri can presence there, has been bene ficial, or otherwise. There are clearly various opinions on both questions”.

However, the council found suf ficient evidence to conclude that the “distortions and misrepresentations (in the NBC programme) go well beyond any that could be justified under the rubric of robust journal ism”.

And to that extent the council found that Governor Haydon’s com plaint against the programme was justified.

In his complaint to the council, Haydon claimed the NBC film was viciously slanted and untrue.

The film’s “consistent and deli berate use of erroneous material makes it appear obvious that the producer and NBC came to Ameri can Samoa to make a film that would be controversial and would serve to give their new ‘Weekend’ series a good kickoff”, Mr Haydon said.

As a result of the complaint, the council viewed the controversial film and held a public hearing at which expert testimony was taken from the famed anthropologist on Samoa, Dr Margaret Mead, and from many other government and ex-government officials who had worked in Ameri can Samoa.

Then it came out with a decision stating that “a television producer is not required, in producing a docu mentary, to meet the test of absolute fairness”.

“Under the principles of free

speech, the council believes he is en titled to very considerable latitude in determining which facts he will stress and which he will play down or to tally ignore”, the decision stated.

“The result may not be altogether fair, balanced or dispassionate, but the disadvantages of what is often described as robust journalism are surely preferable to any attempt to suggest a standard that is probably unattainable in any case.

“We must, and do, have confidence that a free interplay of biased views is likelier to produce effective guid ance than a determined effort to compel adherence to a highly hypo thetical objectivity”, the decision stated.

The council, however, was of the opinion that “while great latitude must be accorded to television pro ducers . . . that is not to say that there is not, or ought not to be, a limit to the degree of distortion and misrepresentation that a producer can indulge in”.

The council was of the firm be lief that the NBC documentary on Samoa “clearly exceeds that limit”.

One of the major instances of mis representation pointed out by the council involved a comparison of American Samoa and Western Samoa.

Western Samoa, the council deci sion states, “has 10 times the area, and is capable of sustaining itself economically”.

“Political and economic solutions perfectly suited to Western Samoa are simply not applicable to Ameri can Samoa, according to expert after expert, and the documentary’s clear implication to the contrary is seri ously misleading”, the decision stated.

The council pointed out that it was not the comparison with Western Samoa or any other single assertion in the documentary that led to the conclusion. It was the overall effect of a series of distortions and mis representations in the production, writing and editing, “effectively con tradicted by impressive witnesses”.

NBC declined an invitation from the council to take part in the public hearing. Its reply was: “NBC News is interested in maintaining standards of fairness and objectivity; but NBC News does not believe that any pur pose is served by debating comments such as those made by Mr Haydon except before the Federal Communi cations Commission, to which NBC, as a licensee, is accountable”.

Though it is now a year since he left the territory, John Haydon’s ghost still haunts the place.

Time-Table For

Solomons 'Day'

The Solomon Islands government has drawn up a tentative time-table which will lead to independence in July or August, 1977. First step is internal self-government on Novem ber 1, followed by a general election about the middle of 1976. This will be followed by a constitutional con ference in London, attended by mem bers of the Legislative Assembly, about November, 1976.

The Legislative Assembly has set up a constitutional committee to settle details of the government when the country becomes independent. (See earlier report, page 37). The committee will aim at planning the “best kind of national government to suit the country” and be accepted by the Solomon Islanders; how to guarantee powers to local councils, and how best to to smooth the path to independence. The constitution is expected to reflect traditional values, and say how to protect the country against individual or group mono poly of power.

Not everyone is in favour of a general election about mid-1976.

During the August session of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Ashley Wickham moved that a general elec tion be held within five months. He claimed the people had lost con fidence in the government; some in the public service were disillusioned and were resigning.

Although the people generally accepted the idea of self-government, they feared independence and would not accept it. The government should go to the people.

Another difficulty ahead of the government is in the Western District, which has threatened to fly its own flag if the government approves the present design. The Western Council, meeting at Gizo, described the frigate bird and the golden chain design as meaningless, and not a true picture of the Solomons.

The councillors preferred a design by a schoolboy, Eddie Daiding. This showed six stars for the six councils, and the Solomons coat of arms for the four districts. The coat of arms truly showed the background and cultures of all the Solomons people, they argued.

Meanwhile, despite a visit from Bougainville’s leading secessionists, Mr Mamaloni and his government maintain a strict neutrality, the Chief Minister having, reportedly said he left it to Somare and Bou gainville.

Exodus From

The Solomons

Coming independence in the Solo mon Islands and a wish to get a better education for their children, are the main reasons behind an exodus of Chinese from the country. About 200 have left in the last four years, and another 60 are preparing to go. Most of the Chinese go to relatives in Aus tralia, Canada and the US. Mr Stephen Yee, chairman of the Chinese Association said other reasons were a lack of benefits for elderly people, strong competition from local busi ness and the attitude of some Solo mon Islanders to Chinese people.

“Politically, it is not very favourable for Chinese people here,” he said.

Mr Yee, however, was at odds with the Solomons Chinese Association, which said it had full confidence in the government. The association felt sure there would be many Chinese remaining, who would continue to be loyal to the Solomons. It was true that Chinese had been discredited and discriminated against in some ways, but they had continued to help in developing the country.

The association wants to establish closer relationships and better under standing with the government and all sections of the community.

Statements made by some Chinese as individuals had been misinterpreted and had misled the public, the asso ciation said.

The Permanent Secretary for Edu cation and Cultural Affairs, Mr Francis Bugotu, commenting on allegations about discrimination against Chinese in the schools, said the education opportunities were the same for all Solomon Islanders.

Big Job For

Mr. Du Boulay

Mr Roger du Boulay, British Resi dent Commissioner in the New Hebrides, has been appointed the Queen’s Vice-Marshal of the Dip lomatic Corps, responsible for the organisation and smooth running of the Court of St James. At the same time he will be in charge of the pro tocol and ceremonial department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which deals with all matters of protocol and ceremonial connected with royal matters and royal visits, and with the privileges and immuni ties of the Diplomatic Corps. This department also deals with the organ isation of ministerial conferences in Britain, and all visits abroad by British ministers.