Islands
p. 38 · Read in the full issue
From the
Press
From the American Samoa News Bulletin: Seven new laws passed during the Fifth Special Session of the 1 sth Legislature of American Samoa and approved by the administration of former Governor H. Rex Lee became effective yesterday. They included. Public Law 15-61, which provides that, in addition to standing in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting rides from vehicles, it is illegal to sit, lie or loiter in a roadway in a manner as to constitute a hazard to himself or to vehicular traffic Public Law 1 5-63, which provides that the operators of motor vehicles AND anyone who rides with their bodies extended beyond the interior portion shall be subject to fines and possible imprisonment.
From the North Solomons Provincial Government’s policy and priorities statement as reported in the A raw a Bulletin: . . . Unless the government of this prov ince controls the economy and various economic activities, economic growth will lead to social injustice and increase inequalitv. It is a fact that investment which controls a man’s livelihood also controls the whole man; his freedom is empty and meaningless; his self-reliance is a myth; and his dignity is denie .. .
From the Tuvalu News Sheet: A bird known as the noddy was caught by Sakula Opeta on the island of Vaitupu. A telegram from the District Executive Officer on the island staled that a silver copper was tied to the bird’s leg with the words “Write F and W Service 933-59146 Washington DC USA”, written on.
From a letter by ex-Cook Islands minister Dr Joe Williams in the Cook Islands News on why he resigned from the government: ... In my letter of resignation I specified certain fundamental reasons, namely “The Premier’s increasing tendencies towards nepotism and authoritarianism. Nepotism means favouritism shown to relatives especially in conferring high offices. In the Cook Islands it is referred to by many people as ‘family government' . . . Authoritarianism has the same meaning as dictatorship or a one-man rule.”
From the Tohi Tala Niue: Difficulties in getting local labour and local building materials is seriously hampering progress on the new Assembly building and may mean Niue will not be able to host the South Pacific Forum in it this August, as planned. The main problem at present, says Mr Heaven, is the obtaining of chips and makatea for concreting from the Public Works Department . . . The other obstacle to completing the building for the Forum is that of obtaining sufficient men to work on the site. Mr Heaven has had considerable difficulty in getting Niueans to work, and in keeping them working.
From The Fiji Times: A 75-year-old man, appearing in court for the first time in his life, yesterday received a conditional discharge . . . the condition being that he does not appear in court again for another 75 years.
From a letter by D. Bentley, Papatoetoe (NZ) in The Norfolk Islander: . . Why do the public on Norfolk Island think we, as tourists, owe them something? We owe you nothing (after we have paid our accommodation etc as most of us do, coming on package tours) ... You are one of the more expensive places to visit from either New Zealand or Australia in the South Pacific, so people really have to want to visit Norfolk Island or they can easily be persuaded to go to Fiji for less outlay.
From the New Hebrides News: The US flag, the Stars and Stripes, was raised by John Frum followers on February 1 5 at Sulphur Bay. Among the crowd who watched the flag-raising ceremony were the FRC, Mr Bernard Pettier, Chief Minister George Kalsakau and other Ministers. Visitors were entertained by a parade by the John Frum Guard of Honour carrying sharpened bamboo poles, symbolising guns, and the letters USA written across their chests and backs ... A Vanuaaku Party flag hoisted at Laminu, near Lenakel School on Saturday February 11 was pulled down and burnt the next day by UCNH, John Frum and Kapiel supporters while VP supporters were at church. A nakamal and a house were also set on fire.
From a speech by the Gilberts Governor, IVIr John Smith, at the opening of the new House of Assembly reported in the Atoll Pioneer: . . . The composition of this House is further proof of the political maturity of the Gilbert Islands. You represent not only the many islands which make up our country but a wide range of experience and talent. There are among you those who can speak on behalf of the elders and those who can speak on behalf of youth. I have but one regret, there is no lady member ...
From the Tonga Chronicle: METRIC HINTS. Every time you pick up a coconut you can be learning the metric system. The average green coconut, dehusked, weighs about one kilogram. Easy, isn’t it?
Remember; one coconut, about one kilogram. But don’t use it as a weight.
A Samoan on life in Seattle (USA) as reported in the American Samoa News Bulletin: “Samoans come to the United States for opportunity,” said Galumalemana Vaiinupo Ala'ilima, co-ordinator of the Samoan Community Center. “In Samoa they prepare us to be parasites. Some Samoans (here) are lucky enough to make the grade. But they are exceptions. The rest are floating in a sea of troubles . . . The Samoan Community Center co-ordinates a number of social service programs, including a day-care program for the elderly and a Samoan grocery.” Ala’ilima said state and federal bureaucracies have made it difficult to run these programs. “Every time we try to raise our heads,” he said, “it seems somebody tries to push us down.”
From the Samoa Times: A funeral service at sea is expected to be held some time today for a father and son lost during a fishing expedition off Apolima, Thursday of last week. Informed sources said that Mr Werner E. Jahnke, a middle-aged resident of Mulifanua, and his son David, who was in his twenties, went fishing with another Mulifanua man, said to be a cripple . . . Sources said David had tied a fishing line around his wrist and that, as he was relaxing, a fish took the line and David was whisked overboard.
When he failed to reappear for some time, Mr Jahnke Jumped overboard apparently to look for his son. The crippled man waited on the boat for a long time but neither Mr Jahnke nor David returned.
From the Solomons News Drum: The villagers who sew their own clothes, buy a cheap radio and an umbrella but don’t drink or smoke, will do best under the new tax changes Minister of Finance Benedict Kinika.