In This Issue

POLITICS SIMMERS IN THE ISLANDS: With a whole pattern i i of elections due in the U.S. territories, the politicking has begun 1 1 in earnest. This time, however, there’s more at stake than ever before. We examine the candidates, the elections and the voters, with guides to the various systems of government.

CALM PREVAILS: In New Caledonia, there’s a calm after the Ift storm. Our correspondent reports business especially cars and furniture sales returning to normal after two years of upheaval. Nobody wants a return to violence as the tourists begin to return.

CHALLENGE TO FLOSSE: The supremacy of Gaston Flosse in French Polynesia may be challenged by a comparative newcomer to the political scene. And although he comes from a similar background the new man is bitterly opposed to the Flosse system. In an interview he tells of his hopes for the future and his policies for the present.

IN THE WAKE OF A CYCLONE: Solomon Islanders are still on recovering from the devastation wrought by Cyclone Namu. An Australian-made documentary film about the disaster hopes to raise consciousness of the people’s needs beyond the Pacific region.

FOR A FEW PENNIES MORE: Beggars can now be seen in 04 Port Moresby. It’s an apparent slap in the face for what has " often been considered a model of the Melanesian “wantok system.” Is that unique social security system breaking down'?

We ask the beggars themselves.

POWER IN THE WIND: Sailpower is making a comeback. A Fiji 27 experiment in inter-island shipping with sail-assisted diesel powered vessels is proving a success. The indications are that most island states could reduce fuel bills by making use of the old technology with a modern application.

FRENCH IS TOPS: French Polynesia tops the South Pacific 32 league in terms of Gross National Product where it is ahead of New Zealand. Our Washington correspondent has drawn some other comparisons from World Bank sources.

A STORY OF MANY MINES: The gold prospect at Misima 38 Island, PNG, where Placer Pacific plans a major mine has a long and varied history. A PIM correspondent tells of the background to this modern development.