from the islands press

From the American Samoa News Bulletin Lt. jg Richard Boy of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Data Buoy Centre in Mississippi left the territory Wednesday at the end of a one week assignment with the Office of Marine Resources (OMR). Lt. Boy was here to provide technical assistance to Marine Resources staff in the design, fabrication and mooring of fish aggregation devices on fishing buoys.

From The Coconut Telegraph of Vanua Levu, Fiji Interesting to hear that aboriginal Australians are acquiring a taste for yaqona (kava), Fiji’s national beverage. Admittedly, there is a growing export trade for it, including to Fiji’s forces in the Sinai and Lebanon.

From the American Samoa News Bulletin Ambassador Fred Eckert, U.S. envoy to several Pacific nations, says many governments in the region are no longer opposed to visiting American warships and planes that may be carrying nuclear materials. Eckert is on his way home to New York to pursue good Pacific policy in a different role, that of U.S. Congressman. He said the change in the islanders’ attitudes towards the U.S. military is due to an effort to tell Pacific island leaders more about the balance of power in the world and how it affects their own freedom. Eckert said the United States has given them a chance to see in person how the military runs its operations. He added that the United States must keep helping the islanders respond to their economic needs if it wants to earn their respect and the Japanese are working harder at this than we are.

From the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier The use of marijuana is increasing at an alarming rate in some Highlands areas, a parliamentarian said yesterday.

Villagers were smoking it like ordinary cigarettes and some even drink it, the member for Sina-Sina Yonggamugl, Mr John Numi, said.

Mr Numi said the plant was growing wild in bushes, coffee and food gardens and near houses.

Last Friday in Parliament, Mr Numi called for a nationwide educational campaign to tell the people about the harmful effects of marijuana.

From a letter by “Anti-pay rise, Port Moresby” in the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier I would like to comment on the proposed salary rises for parliamentarians. I am convinced by this proposal that the present parliamentarians are a bunch of hypocrites. First they want public servants to give them luxury cars to drive in, now they want more pay. God knows what they’ll want next, perhaps the public to bow every time they pass.

From the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Port Moresby “This Parliament is too big” an annoyed Transport Minister, Mr Bendumb said soon after Parliament adjourned early on Friday afternoon due to lack of quorum ... He was concerned at the poor attendance by members from both sides of the House. He said he felt the entertainment facilities, like bars, attracted the members, especially on a Friday, when the weekend was coming up. He said the bars and other facilities should be closed down to enable members to devote more time to parliamentary duties. Mr Bendumb said he thought it was too early for PNG to have a building “as big as this”.

From the police report in the Marshall Islands Journal, Majuro.

Henchi Luther M-27 of Uliga was booked and detained for assault and battery. A restraining order is in effect to keep him away from Mela Tira’s house where he reportedly kicks his sons when he’s drunk.

From Tam-Tam, Port Vila A well-known Primary School teacher in East Ambae in the Northern District, Mr Nelson Tari, reckoned Western Education and Local Traditions could go hand-in-hand, and proved it on May 21 in his Nahala Village, by introducing his son Reginald and daughter Caroline into the Pig Killing Graded Society, of which he is an entitled member. A report from Mr James Boe said, over 100 spectators witnessed the ceremony during which he ritually killed ten tusked pigs and achieved the “Sese”

Grade, and his children killed one each and achieved the “Moli” Grade (the first grade). Feasting, custom dancing and kava drinking, continued to dawn.

From The Samoa Observer, Apia What an awful sight walking down the streets of Apia on week-end nights. Scattered from the bus shelters at the Market Place to the Courthouse are chewed sugar cane and various forms of rubbish left by what can only be called the most inconsiderate people there are.

From the Marianas Variety News & Views, Saipan People have been dancing in these islands ever since one can remember. The styles have varied and so has the music.

The newest form of dance that seems to have hit Saipan like a storm is called popping.

Youngsters in particular are interested in this dance which has several variations. We are told one can either pop dance, strut or do the boogooloo: which means jerking the body in an awkward motion, waving it, or doing some kind of an awkward walk in rhythm with the accompanying music.

From The Fiji Times, Suva Legislation should be introduced in Fiji to protect women from being battered by their husbands, said a woman lawyer at Lautoka on Saturday.

Miss Vasantika Patel, of Nadi, was speaking on the women’s view of law and order and security at the Rotary Youth Leadership Award Seminar held at the Lautoka Teachers College. It was attended by about 60 people from Fiji and other South Pacific island countries.

From an editorial in the Marshall Islands Journal, Majuro With just about everyone and their uncle mouthing words of congratulations to the multitude of graduates issuing forth this , early June 1984 the Journal would like to dispense with this trite and overworn tradition of extending cordialities and instead issue a warning. Some of you hot shots picking up your degrees these present weeks know very well that you breezed through the education process and barely had to wrinkle so much as an eyebrow to qualify for that piece of paper you are clutching. Well, if you are going off to further your education you may find that the easy sliding you have experienced so far is not unlimited, and that some pretty rough sandpaper is coming up abrasive stuff that might have you looking for a pillow to hide under, or a bottle to hide in. The only way you will make it is by being a little bit afraid, and willing to do more than you are asked . . .