Better days for Tokelau!

Forty dancers from Nukunonu have returned to thr r isolated homes in Tokelau frc i Western Samoa, where they en ;rtained at the 15th Anniversary i slebrations of Western Samoa’s Im ependence.

The Official Secretary of the Tokelau Affairs Office in Apia, Mr Neil Walter, recently visited Tokelau, travelling in the Cenpac Rounder.

Mr Walter met members of the Tokelau Public Service on each is land.

Each atoll now has its own co operative store. Until about a year ago, the people of Tokelau depend ed on business firms in Apia for most of their food and supplies, but they have always hoped to establish their own co-operative stores through which they can buy goods more cheaply and ensure the profit goes to the village.

People will also be able to buy their goods throughout the year in stead of only on shipping days.

A team in each village has been preparing a building for use as a store, until the new administration centres are complete.

Significant developments have also been taking place in agriculture. A commercial piggery housing 120 to 130 pigs has been es tablished at Nukunonu. During the May voyage to the islands, the Chief Livestock Officer in Apia took 12 roosters and six sows to Tokelau for a pilot study in breeding.

An agricultural worker from each of the three atolls is now receiving training The Tokelauans are also hoping for new fishing developments. Dur ing a visit by UNDP representative Mr Garth ap Rees earlier this year, all three atolls expressed interest in improving fishing facilities. The Council of Elders specifically re quested assistance to set up a freez ing chamber for storing fish and provide fishing equipment.