from the islands press

From Newslines, the Tonga Visitors Bureau’s newsletter, Nukualofa.

A recent letter of inquiry from a potential visitor from the United States still thinks that the Pacific people still run around with ‘very little clothes on’, to put it politely. It seems from whatever books he read, it is out-dated, inaccurate and full of false hope. Maybe, he is thinking of Waikiki or some nude beach in Europe!!

Newslines is deadly sure that this person will be shook when visiting Tonga. Maybe, there are some places in Polynesia that we do not know about?

From the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Port Moresby.

The law and order situation in Mount Hagen, Western Highlands, has been described as “close to the old Wild West.”

A spokesman for the Chamber of Commerce in Mount Hagen said criminals in the province had no fear of the law because there wasn’t any.

From the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Port Moresby.

Parliament proceedings have been described as a “state of emergency operated by a bunch of clowns.”

People’s Progress Party Leader, Sir Julius Chan, yesterday said he could not take Parliament seriously because it gagged debates and was operated by clowns.

“We are all being looked at like performers in a second-rate circus,” Sir Julius said.

From the Marianas Variety News & Views, Saipan.

HONOLULU (AP). A Hawaii architectural firm, a Honolulu developer and a Saipan businessman are joining forces to develop a $ll5 million resort at Saipan’s Laulau Beach ... the resort is expected to employ people when completed.

From the Questions in the House section of Tonga Parliamentary Bulletin.

S. Tupouniua wanted to know if a newly released prisoner could borrow from a prison association that helps prisoners.

Min. of Police Yes, they can borrow from the association but the association’s funds are running low because of delay in repayments. He pointed out that they don’t worry too much about the delay because the objective is to help the prisoners lead a normal life outside of prison.

T. Fuko commented on the state of the prison in Ha’apai where the prisoners are kept. He reported that early this year there were a number of burglaries in the capital Pangai and the burglars were later discovered to be prisoners who at night walked out through the tarpaulin which walled one side of the jail. He felt because the jail is not as secure as it should be the offenders do not consider being in jail a punishment.

A caption under a photograph in the Marshall Islands Journal, Majuro.

A FACELIFT AND NEW NAME have changed the atmosphere at the former Rainbow Bar now Smugglers Cove but still the same is the cold beer and hot women. You’ll see owners Paul Szoke and Steve Yates at the refurbished night spot.

From an editorial in the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Port Moresby.

WHEN the Prime Minister, Mr Somare, told Parliament in June that Port Moresby was filthy, he nearly brought the house down.

The comment caused such a stir that Parliament had to be suspended twice to allow politicians to calm down.

But Mr Somare was not wrong. A drive through one of the city’s

main streets, any time of day, will give the answer. Port Moresby, indeed, is dirty compared to many of our towns.

From a speech by Vanuatu Prime Minister Fr Walter Lini on the fifth anniversary of independence, reported in the Vanuatu Weekly, Port-Vila.

“We have no beggars and starving people in Vanuatu which is a sure sign that the country is prospering soundly,” said Father Lini . . . Father Lini called for the preservation of our traditional values.

“When these traditional values are lost due to the influence of Western Civilisation, so are our society. Civil disorder, crime and corruption creep in as some Melanesian countries are already beginning to experience now,” he warned.

From the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, Port Moresby.

A man who already had three wives had a secret affair with an underaged girl for two years.

He wanted to make her his fourth wife, Lorengau District Court heard.

Magistrate Mr Joe Bakal heard that the man and the girl had an affair from 1983 until February this year, when they were caught by the girl’s parents.

Sahram Sireh, 23, of Derimbat Village, Manus Province, admitted carnal knowledge.

Papua New Guinea’s Chief Justice Sir Buri Kidu, referring to a “serious crisis” in keeping the country’s top-level courts operating properly, has said it was now impossible to attract potential judges from overseas, and that qualified nationals were also not interested in being appointed because of the poor conditions offered. The ever-helpful Grass Roots of the PNG Post-Courier, has a suggestion for meeting the problem.