Islands

From the

Press

From the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Port

Moresby

The Police Force is ineffective, the Police Commissioner, Mr Philip Bouraga, said yesterday. Mr Bouraga said the force was lacking responsible and effective manpower in all areas of its operations ‘Policemen at all ranks are working under continuous public criticism,’ he said. ‘There is, however, some truth in suggestions of police brutality when arresting people and misuse of police cars,’ Mr Bouraga said ‘There is also evidence of uniformed policemen acting irresponsibly but I have no time or resources to investigate’...

From an editorial in the Micronesian Independent It is with some degree of expectation and hope that we regard the completion of lengthy status negotiations betwen the peoples of the United States and the Marshall Islands. The fact that the Marshalls has again proven itself more organised and more apt to negotiate a sophisticated and far-reaching compact surely gives observers the impression that, as a group, the inhabitants of these central Pacific atolls still have a cohesiveness and communal strength, despite more than 30 years of unchannelled and often disruptive administration by a second power.

From a speech by Fiji Minister of Education Semesa Sikivou, reported in The Fiji Times, Suva ‘Far too often evidence of our failure in citizenship training is clearly seen,’ he said. ‘And it is increasingly and alarmingly becoming a pattern in our daily lives. I appeal to you all, as you look for new directions and new emphasis in the next 50 years to regard getting rid of this growing cancer of anti-social, anti-government behaviour and lawlessness from our society’s

body as topmost priority.’

From an interview with Fijian singer Sakiusa Bulicokocoko reported in the News Drum, Honiara ‘Musically, I prefer Japan to the States, Japanese singers are so versatile. They can copy the styles of songs so accurately, they even copy the scratches on the record,’ he said.

From a letter in the Arawa Bulletin, North Solomon Province, Papua New Guinea Arawa is becoming a dangerous place to live in and enjoy her image. Crimes such as paybacks between groups of wantoks, break and enters to people’s homes, attacks on persons by drunken mobs and fighting are emerging here and there on a considerable scale. One could risk his or her life to take a walk alone to enjoy the cool of the evening in the town . . . Another factor eroding the images of the towns of Arawa, Kieta and Toniva is prostitution or the so-called Five Kinas. There is a grave rise in the rate of prostitution which is clearly shown in the increased intake of patients receiving treatment as a consequence.

Letter from reader in New Nation, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea I was travelling to Wewak town on a bus when I caught one beautiful girl sitting beside me. She took out a comb from her basket and started combing her hair ... If she was my sister I would have kicked her out of the bus . . . My sisters, stop combing your hair in public places because you’ll never marry me or my good friends. I reckon you’re going to marry an alcoholic.

From the Nauru Post, Nauru A well known doctor in Kiribati occupied a double nakatari with a Nauruan of some affluence. The doctor was absolutely amazed to notice that the Nauruan, for want of something better, had used a $2O note as toilet paper.

From a News Drum report of a debate in the Solomons Parliament on new regulations for voting in elections Mr Hilly (Simbo and Ranonga) wanted the voting age to be lowered to 16 . . . and Mr Tepaika (Minister) wanted the people aged 60 and over to be excluded from voting.

From a letter in the Arawa Bulletin, North Solomon Province, PNG I would like to get it across and especially to immature brother of Camp 6 at Loloho about throwing stones during movies. Whoever you are, please leave us alone with respect. Most of us come to watch movies in peace without any disturbance but when movies do not suit you, please move out in a good manner. I myself and many others get very cross when you throw stones on the roof, wall and even at the screen while the movie is on.

From the Cook Islands News, Rarotonga It took a Nikao resident several attempts in the course of half an hour on Saturday night to get through to the telephone exchange to ask them to put her through to the fire emergency station. Meanwhile, a five-room house across the road was

burning merrily away.

From The Fiji Times, Suva The proprietor of a sauna bath at Lautoka has landed in hot water with the city council over the absence of toilet facilities in an adjoining cafe. The council says it approved the bath plans on condition the owner, Mr M. Khalil, provided a toilet in the cafe located in the same building. The original toilet for the cafe was closed off in the sauna bath section, leaving no convenience for the cafe as required by law. And as tempers heat up over this issue the council says Mr Khalil will have to close down his cafe unless he provides the facility .. .

From the Cricket section Arawa Bulletin, North Solomon Province, PNG Congratulations to these ranunculaceous adonic youths from Panguna with the bloom of innocence yet upon their cheeks racing across the dampened verdant field to glory.

From a leter in the News Drum, Honiara, protesting at a rise in shipping fares according to public opinion, it is to a great extent unfair, not appropriate, unprofaned and unweening. The question is, will the services improve then because the fares have gone up? Certainly not. It will only bring nothing but more coffee for the concerned Board of Directors.