Islands
p. 29 · Read in the full issue
From the
Press
Part of a reader’s letter to the Papua New Guinea Post- Courier, Port Moresby, complaining about a government expenditure of 82 000 kina on office diaries Although the government is claiming some achievements, I for one cannot really notice the difference in terms of people’s development. Development is people not diaries and executive jets. Let us build and develop people to build their own aeroplanes and to make their own diaries. I am hurt when I see 82 000 kina spent on diaries while I sweat in the street looking for a suitable job to make ends meet.
Extracts from a letter written from New Zealand by a school teacher and published in Samoa by the Samoa
Times, Apia
I am a primary school teacher in Wellington. I teach junior boys and girls, 75 of whom are Samoans. It saddens me greatly when I see them arrive at school without lunch. Why? Because their parents have to empty their pockets to their family who come over from Samoa raising funds for some project at home, be it a new presbytery for the priests, a new house for the catechist, or a new church. It breaks my heart when I look down and see their little faces. They are victims of injustice, but particularly arrogance when it is hidden behind what people love to call the ‘Faa Samoa’.
Throughout New Zealand the parents of children like these are having to empty their pockets to save the family name by making payments to groups of people who arrive in New Zealand with monotonous regularity. Families here work hard for the money they get, there’s no taro patch at the back of the house, and the cost of living is still rising. I love my little children. You people seem to love your new house, presbytery or youth project. What are your priorities? Which comes first and is more important your building or your children?
A short and pointed letter to the Marshall Islands
Journal, Majuro, published under the heading
‘Speling?’
Dear Editor: Ta unin ami kokkure jibel in Maajol? (Why is your Marshallese spelling so bad?) From an article on customs inspections, published in the Marianas Variety News and Views, Saipan Nobody should be exempted from inspection, whether big shots or small potatoes.
A letter published in the Cook Islands News,
Rarotonga
Dear Editor: It is good news because the Cook Islands get a loan of $1.5 million from the Asian Bank. It is nice to have plenty of money. But loans must be paid back. 1 know. I have had loans. How do the Cook Islands pay back all the money we have got from the Bank? What will happen if we can’t pay it back? Will the Bank just grab the Cook Islands and make us work to pay back the money?
I am scared about this. Maybe we should all go to New Zealand quickly.
From an editorial in the Observer, Apia, Western Samoa The problem with the economy of this country is that its running is entrusted to the hands of plumbers who have never seen before
what an economy looked like. That is why, instead of pushing for an economic revival, they are intent on shacking the economy up, lacking the vision of an economist, as if they were still working with pipes, nuts and bolts.
From an article in the Cook Islands News, Rarotonga, explaining recent local power failures On two occasions inquisitive rats, now deceased, entered the switchboard and caused short circuits which have led to further power failures. ‘We realise how inconvenient these power cuts are to the public’, said engineer Mr Jim Randle. The only bright spot in the present rather unsatisfactory situation is that we appear inadvertently to be playing an active part in rodent control.’
The Samoa Times, Apia, following complaints that villagers were using subsidised fencing wire for plantation projects instead of using it for designated
piggery projects
The Chief Rural Development Officer said he was convinced that the villagers had a very good excuse. They argued that by fencing their plantation properties they were merely fencing the pigs out instead of fencing them in, and in the long term this was the best policy. The crops were protected but the pigs were able to forage for food and did not die as often happened if they were fenced in without proper feeding. It also saved the people the work of having to carry food long distances to feed the pigs.
Savali, Apia, Western Samoa An energy conservation hint: Slow down. Avoid over-acceleration and over-reviving of the engine.
The Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Port Moresby Port Moresby policemen checking the National Court cells after business on Monday found themselves locked in. A court official had turned the key on the main cell block door and had left the premises. Resourceful constables spied a telephone extension and sent out pleas for help. Their calls would have gone unanswered had it not been for a judge working late in the building.
Part of a reader’s letter in The Samoa Times, Apia, commenting on the action of a gang of youths who broke into a house and raped a woman I, a Samoan and proud of being one, am ashamed that the name of my Samoa is again tarnished. How I wish this country had a firing squad. These are the kind of people that truly deserve it.
Our News, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea During the presentation, Mr Kwarara said that canoe racing, like most sports, is purposely there for creating friendship amongst people and violence as we occasionally experience everywhere.
A letter in the Solomon Islands News Drum, Honiara, from a reader expressing surprise that public health and primary education are included in the portfolios of cabinet ministers My goodness, these things are already done in the provinces. Are they not rubber stamp ministers? The presidents know all these things. So it looks as though a lot of people are doing the same thing. In fact there is too much duplication of work. I am confused.
The permanent secretaries are also confused. And that’s a bad sign.
Even the deputy prime minister is confused. He told me.
An extract from a legislative debate on the use of government vehicles, reported in the Marshall Islands Journal, Majuro, Marshall Islands Senator Carl Heine said it probably is not a bad idea for ministers to ride bicycles to work. He said bicycles are much cheaper and are good for the body.
From Hahine’s column in The Times of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby There was a call for the editor last Thursday, and since he was busy trying to get the paper to press I asked if I could help the man (who happens to know I am a reporter). He told me ‘lt’s not woman’s business’, and insisted on speaking to the editor. What specifically is woman’s business, I wondered, because I know that any business is woman’s business.