News
pp. 31-32 · Read in the full issue
The
In A
Nutshell
Tv For Png By 'B2?
Papua New Guinea is considering a $5 million project using a satellite to blanket the country with a single-pro gramme television service. Apart from reception on privately-owned receivers, the service would be available to 5 000 community receivers in rural areas. Bat tery-powered receivers would be needed in many of the remote areas far removed from electricity supplies.
A final report from a television in vestigating committee will be ready in December when cabinet is expected to make a decision. Consultants from the ABC are involved in the preparation of the reports for the PNG Government.
If cabinet goes ahead with the scheme, a TV service could be operating in 1982.
New Strife For Sigwu
The Solomons’ controversial trade union, the Solomon Islands’ General Workers’ Union (PIM, October, p 39) is facing a new crisis. The registrar of trade unions in Honiara announced that he had issued a notice of suspension against SIGWU, claiming that its accounts had not been properly kept.
SIGWU, unruffled, said it would carry on as usual, and would hold a meeting to decide what to do; either make an effort to meet the registrar’s complaints, or challenge his action altogether.
Slow Payers Warned
American Samoans are slow to pay their debts to public utilities. Governor H. Rex Lee, speaking at a recent session of the legislature, said that if records were correct more than $2.5 million was owing to the government. The people owed the government $446 000 for
electricity, telephone and water bills. Of that amount more than $125 000 was owed by government employees, who received their pay cheques every two weeks. Governor Lee warned that the government was going to “move vigorously” in the matter, and there would be a lot of screams from people who had to pay their bills.
More Western Samoans
Western Samoa had a population of 15 1 894 at the end of 1976, according to the annual statistical abstract. The figure was 1516 above that for 1975. More than two-thirds of the population, 109 787, was on the island of Upolu and 41 488 lived on Savaii. There were 5 147 more men than women. The statistics also revealed there were 13 710 Sa moans living in New Zealand.
There were 11 787 visitors in 1976, most of them tourists. In 1975 there were 9 704 visitors.
Restoring A Spitfire
A Mark V Spitfire used by the RAAF during World War II has been restored by an Australian businessman at a cost of around $3O 000 and countless hours of work. The plane had crashed in Papua New Guinea’s Trobriand Islands and the wreck was moved to Goodenough Island for repair. But when the war moved on the wreck was left to rot in the jungle un-
Ana Decima Schmidt, a secretary from the Western Samoa village of Lalovaea, has won the title of “Miss Samoa” and will compete in the “Miss World” contest in London this month.
til Mr Langdon Badger of Adelaide heard about it in 1971 and finally, in 1973, succeeded in shipping it to Australia. Since then he and his family have worked at every opporrunity to remove corrosion from the frame and various parts.
Many parts were missing and Mr Badger has travelled widely seeking replacements. He estimates that at pre sent, the aircraft is about 75% original.
But it is still impossible for the work to be completed until several more parts are found. When restoration is finally complete Mr Badger is prepared to give the aircraft in trust so that it can be dis played. He said he believed that future generations should be able to see this part of Australia’s history.
No Spearfishing
Spearfishing off most of the east coast of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef has been banned by the Australian Government. The measure is designed to protect stocks of reef fish, especially coral trout.
Big Bang, Big Catch
The commander of a team of Royal Navy divers warned local craft and divers to stay clear as wartime mines at Te Ava Tepuka, Tuvalu, were located and destroyed. The local craft could, however, collect the dead fish shortly after the explosions, the commander said.
"Thanks. Hawaii"'
Western Samoa has awarded SWSS 000 to the East-West Centre in Hawaii to help to develop its multi-na tional programmes. More than 500 Western Samoans have taken part in the centre’s activities since 1960, when it was set up by the US Congress to pro mote better relations and understanding among the nations and peoples of the Pacific, Asia and the US, through co operative study, training and research.
Western Samoans who have studied at the centre include Mr Tavita Kiki Leopolu, Deputy Director of Agriculture, Mrs Lupe Meredith, matron, National Hospital, Mr Faalogo Pito Faalogo, editor, Samoa Times, and Dr Felix Wendt, head of fhe agricultural school at University of South Pacific.
Pierre To Michael
Among messages received by Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, Mr Michael Somare,on his electoral success was one from Canada’s Prime Minister, Mr Pierre Trudeau. Mr Trudeau said the strength demonstrated by the Pangu Party in the PNG polling was insepara ble from the personal esteem in which Mr Somare was held by so many of his fellow Papua New Guineans. The Cana dian Prime Minister, no doubt with his
Ana Decima Schmidt
own problems of Quebec separatism well in mind, closed by wishing Mr Somare success in his continuing endeavours to strengthen the unity of the country.
Png College Nearly Broke
Goroka Teachers’ College, one of the Papua New Guinea government’s main tertiary institutions, is running short of funds, and may be unable to take new students next year.
Students were told this at an open forum organised in October by the staff, following threats of student strikes. The strikes had been planned because of grievances over conditions at the live-in college.
Vanuaaku's Stand On Poll
The Vanuaaku Party in the New Hebrides will not take part in this month’s elections unless five conditions are met.
In a memorandum to the British and French Resident Commissioners pre sented on September 17, the party’s sec retary-general, Mr Barak Sope, listed the conditions as follows; Only natives of Vanuaaku should be allowed to vote in the elections; the vot ing age should be lowered to 18; there should be “majority rule” in the New Hebrides the majority party should form the government and not have a coalition cabinet forced upon it; transfer of powers to the new government “which will place the country on the stage of self-government”; a referendum for or against independence should be held in 1977.
Png S. Africa Trade Out
Papua New Guinea had cut off all trade with South Africa from September 8, according to an announcement made late in that month by the PNG Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Ebia Olewale. Trade between the two coun tries had consisted of PNG imports of such items as tinned fish worth up to $930,000 annually, and exports, mainly of cocoa, worth about $lOO,OOO.
Solomons' New Money
From October 24, Australian currency was officially “out’’ and the new Solomons currency officially “in” in the Solomon Islands.
The new currency consists of Sls 10, Slss and Sls2 notes, and coins of Slsl, and 20c, 10c, sc, 2c and 1c denomina tion. It has the same value as Australian money.
Although the Queen’s head appears on the front of the notes and coins, exten sive use has been made by the designers of Solomon Islands symbols, artifacts and scenes.
The currency was produced by Bri tain’s Royal Mint. Artists of the British company, Thomas de la Rue, designed the notes.