Islands
p. 33 · Read in the full issue
From the
Press
From a letter in The Norfolk Islander Would that I could enlighten and inspire with the spoken word that which, of necessity, must be conveyed with the cold and factual analysis of the written word. The time is short, the danger is acute. You were saved on the very brink of destruction by the elimination of the Whitlam government. You passed through the horror and aftermath of the Nimmo Report to be beguiled and blindly led to the brink of the Norfolk Island Bill where you now stand on the very edge of disaster that is, if you who are Norfolk, think as I do. In the divisive past it was different but today you have your rallying points in the struggle for freedom. Let me, in cold analysis, without emotional overtones and as a critical lawyer, examine the bill as concisely and as non-technically as possible ... Graeme Skinner.
News Drum, Honiara, Solomon Islands Soon after parliament resumed last Friday, the Speaker, Mr Maepeza Gina, suspended proceedings for five minutes. This came after a personal clash between the Minister of Finance, Mr Kinika, and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Ulufa’alu. Mr Kinika later apologised to the House for the inconvenience caused.
The Fiji Times Fiji followers of teenage Guru Maharaj-Ji are reportedly using a secret eye technique which medical opinion says can blind them.
The technique involves pressing the eyeballs from the sides with the fingers until flashes of light and stars appear. A man who said he had been initiated into the sect but had left after an eye specialist warned it was dangerous, demonstrated the method to Fiji Times reporters.
Caption in PNG Post-Courier Bums Philp (Mt Hagen) has given up! The main street of Mt Hagen is a sea of plywood sheets replacing broken glass. BPs has decided to use more permanent cladding and cover all its glass.
The Coconut Telegraph, Savusavu, Fiji
We like the story of Peter Togaibai, of Natakea, Savusavu. During Cyclone Fay, the iron roof of his house wanted to go on a joyride, but Peter was determined to prevent it, so he tied a length of rope onto a rafter and hung on to it. With every gust of wind, the roof rose four feet, and Peter rose with it, hanging on grimly.
He reckons he had just enough weight to keep that roof anchored, but if Cyclone Fay had lasted more than two hours he wouldn’t have had a hope.
Letter in Cook Island News It is with concern I write regarding the present political situation now developing in our country. It reminds me of the situation the Shah is now having in Iran. Although we haven’t reached the stage (pray God we don’t) of mass assembly, bloodshed and violence, the build up now visible and invisible may very well take us there ... The way I look at it signs ain’t good . . . Speaking for myself I m seriously considering going overseas for a few years until things settle down here . . . Yours sincerely, Shaky.
From a letter in the PNG Post-Courier Mr Kwan is quite right when he asks, ‘Who would copy the NBC (National Broadcasting Commission)?’ I would add: ‘Who in his
right mind would copyright the NBC?’. . . Carolus Ketsimur, Program Director, NBC.
The Norfolk Island News Page 1 headline: ‘Australia’s Plan to Keep Norfolk a Colony’.
Page 5 headline: ‘New Deal for Abos’.
The Fiji Times Customs men at Nadi International Airport yesterday seized bottles of holy water from the River Jordan and bibles containing soil from the Holy Land in a crackdown on Fiji soldiers back from Lebanon. The items were confiscated when Customs officers made a thorough man-by-man search of the baggage of the 140 soldiers of the First Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment who arrived
home yesterday morning.
The Tonga Chronicle An 18-year-old Tonga Defence Services private has survived from an alleged bullet shot into his head at Motutapu Island early on
Tuesday morning.
Savali, Apia, Western Samoa
Last year the police did not catch anybody with their pants down, or their lavalavas absent, the annual report of the police department says ... in 1977 nobody was arrested for adultery.
In 1976 two people were arrested.
Tohi Tala Niue A ‘petrol scare’ late last week caused chaos at Niue’s one and only petrol station. Niue Island United Enterprises became the island’s most sought after spot last week as cars and motorbikes of all descriptions formed almost one-mile long queues at both entrances to the station.
PNG Post-Courier We're left without a leg to stand on. An observant North Solomons reader has pointed out that the picture we published on page4ofTuesday’sissueofwarriorsatthe Eastern Highlands Show was a ‘little suspect’ because all the blokes in the front row are left-handed . Sure enough they are carrying their spears in the left hand, but we must put matters right. Somehow we reversed the picture during the block-making process .. .
From a letter to News Drum, Solomon Islands Please let us try and prevent and minimise the rate of manslaughter with hard law as death penalty. Do not rely on ‘Love one another as thyself and find your throat cut open in your bedroom by your best friend.
PNG Post-Courier No doubt Finance Minister Barry Holloway will be interested in the latest definition of inflation. It’s this: ‘lnflation is easily recognisable as that time when necessities and luxuries are selling for about the same price.’
Tohi Tala Niue For ten years up to 1974, we asked ourselves what future we wanted and discussed who should make the decisions on the future a Niue Cabinet or New Zealand Government officials.
The lengthy and serious discussions led to the biggest decision yet made by us the people of Niue - the vote for self-government.
In 1979 we will be asked to contribute our views on the type of Niue we want in the 1980 s and on how we can work towards it. . .
From a letter to the PNG Post-Courier Not three cheers but three million cheers for good Michael Somare! Somare, you have come a long way. It will be disastrous to pause (let alone stop). Keep going until we, the people, say: ‘Nick off, Mick!’ And we haven’t said it yet. ..’ - Max Pandurai, Korobosea.