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Press

From the Norfolk Islander: ... It is also hoped (a comment after a report of a spate of shopbreaking and shoplifting) that those persons who have been making a habit of’phoning people at late hours, getting them up out of bed to answer quite senseless questions, will give a little thought at this time of the year to the message of Christmas Peace and Goodwill. It was unfortunate that Mrs Agnes Jensen, in an endeavour to get help while her home was burning around her a couple of weeks ago, was unsuccessful in raising four neighbours who, because of those frequent disturbances over the ’phone at late hours, no longer answer any ringing after they have retired.

From the Tohi Tala Niue: One of my better experiences since working as a reporter for Tohi Tala Niue, is being invited to lunch at Niue Hotel by the 17 students of form 2H of Niue High School ... the majority of the students had never seen such things as running water in a house or even the existence of a bath. It was also the first time some had seen themselves in a full-length mirror and such things as carpets and electric stoves do exist.

From a speech by the British Resident Commissioner, Mr John Champion, in the New Hebrides, as reported by the New Hebrides News: The role of the BNS (British National Service) is, in partnership and in step with the French, to work towards self determination a timely but orderly withdrawal in favour of a single New Hebridean administration which would fairly represent and protect the interests of all the people living in these islands . . .

From the Solomon Islands News Drum: One of the most successful business enterprises in the Solomons is the sale of stamps. The Legislative Assembly was told recently the spending of another $15,000 on printing new stamps would yield at least 14 times that amount in stamp sales . . . Stamp sales at home and overseas had already brought in $300,000 by last August. Of this sum, more than $200,000 was sold in London by the Crown Agent who collected 15 per cent commission .. .

From the Gilbert Islands Atoll Pioneer: A workshop consisting of 25 people from different denominations are at present engaged and well on the road to presenting this country with a history. This history, to be called The History of the Gilbert Islands, will be different in that, as far as it is known, it will be the first time in the Pacific that a people compile their own history. As one of the workshop members said, they will analyse, even criticise, what has already been written by people like Maude, Grimble and such like.

From the Cook Islands' News: A lot of people complain about the Cook Islands’ News being full of reports only from the Minister of Justice, Lands, Survey, Internal Affairs and Conservation, Hon Tupui Ariki Henry.

Well as far as the CIBNC is concerned the Minister and his Ministry are the only ones who can be relied on to give us news daily.

From the Solomon Islands News Drum: People in rural areas should be allowed to pay their council rates in commodities or garden produce if they cannot find the cash, Bartholomew Ulufa’alu, the member for East Honiara, suggested in the Legislative Assembly last week. Speaking in the adjournment debate, he said the idea of paying basic rates originated under “colonial rules”.

From the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier: The Information and Broadcasting Minister, Dr Reuben Taureka is opposed to proposals by the NBC to go commercial . . , He said he opposed the move because he saw commercial radio as one of the low priorities in a developing country. “I would much rather see the NBC spend more time on creating good and entertaining developmental programmes". Dr Taureka said. “The benefit of commercial broadcasting is not all that great. This was evident from what 1 saw and examined in Fiji" ... He said many Fijians now regretted their earlier deci sion to allow commercial broadcasting . . . They feel that their commission has lost some of its credibility because of the move to go commercial.

From a leading article in the Fiji Times: The state of undress in which many overseas visitors to Fiji go about the country is an open invitation to the latent rapist or a sex maniac.

From the New Year message of Western Samoa Prime Minister Tupuola Efi in the Samoa Times: ... It is easy to set Protestants against Catholics, half-castes against full-blooded Samoans, farmers against businessmen, Upolu against Savaii, Apia against the rest of Samoa. But, suppose you do succeed in getting the reaction you want, what have you achieved?

From a leading article in the Papua New Guinea

Post-Courier:

Shame! The Port Moresby City Council is going to crack down on the itinerant street seller . . . Does this mean that police will have to waste their time rounding up those gentle women who walk the streets offering bead necklaces, shell bangles and pots to all and sundry?

From The Fiji Times: With 19 previous convictions behind him, 25-year-old Asivorosi Titoko of Suva was trying to go straight. So, when asked to take part in a smash and grab raid on a Suva jewellery shop, he refused. But he himself was later arrested and he landed in Suva Court yesterday for failing to tell police about the proposed raid.

He admitted that on February 10 last year, he failed to use reasonable means to prevent the commission of a felony. The senior magistrate, Mr David Moore granted him a conditional discharge. He said Titoko appeared to be doing his best to keep out of crime and had tried to mend his ways.

From the Lae Nius: Our traffic laws have been declared “bad" by the acting Chief PNG Magistrate, Mr John Pritchard, and in need of change . .

He also said the system of traffic fines had broken down because of general neglect by police in not serving summonses . . . “It is obvious that most police regard the serving of documents as boring and a nuisance" . ..