The Month

• FIJI ELECTIONS Robert Keith-Reid in Suva provides a detailed rundown on how things are looking as the vital July elections in Fiji loom close 11 • TECHNOLOGY FOR THE PACIFIC Dr Robert Waddell looks at the energy and other technological problems of the Pacific Island countries, and argues that while ‘small’ is certainly ‘beautiful’, the development strategies at present followed don’t always match the idea 15 • WESTERN SAMOA Felise Va’a in Apia tells the dramatic story of how Vaai Kolone, despite his strength in terms of parliamentary seats, managed to oust former PM Tupuola Efi by only one vote when it came to electing the prime minister. He also describes the complicated legal situation concerning elections following a recent ruling on the country’s controversial electoral laws 20 • YESTERDAY In the third of his four-part series on a 1938 voyage on an inter island trader through the then New Hebrides, E. A. Harvey describes the Port-Vila of the day, talks about the political tensions among the motley crew aboard the trader, and closes with an account of his visit to ‘scary’ Malekula 43 • THE VEHICLE IMPORT BILL Daniel Tardieu argues that a remarkable French vehicle, the Citroen FAF, could help Island countries to substantially ease the heavy financial burden imposed by imported motor vehicles 49 • YACHTS Joan D. Pease tells the story of the ordeal she and her husband endured when Cyclone Isaac struck their anchorage at Neiafu, Vavau, in March 55 This month's cover picture: A wide smile, a halo of frangipani blossom, and a cold ice-cream for a hot day.

Polynesian girl with ice-cream is the title given to this study by photographer Roger Merchant of Sydney.

Books 39 Cook Island 39 Deaths 65 Fiji 10,11,27, 36 France in the Pacific 49,28 French Polynesia 28 Hawaii 40 Island Press 31 Letters 6 Pacific nutrition 25 Pacific Peacemaker 28 Pacific Report 4 Papua New Guinea 23, 27 People 33

Pitcairn Island 25 Political Currents 18 Postmark Papeete 28 Shipping services 6 Solomon Islands 37 Technology in the Pacific 15 Tonga 33, 55, Tradewinds 49 Tropicalities 23 U.S. in the Pacific 24,26 Vanuatu 24,43 Western Samoa 20,23 Yachts 55 Yesterday 43