Pathetic opinion and sloppy

letters

production values

Much better than the mutual back-slapping

Recent issues of PIM strongly suggest that the venerable publication is doing its best to make its regional competitors look good.

As a regular reader of PIM over a 15-year period, I feel entitled to comment on the lamentable decline in both con tent and layout in recent years.

The quality of feature articles has become so thin as to be almost non-existent and the general appearance of the magazine would do little justice to a surban charity newsletter with its ill-matched headlines and sloppy production values.

One can’t help observing that some of the contributors who helped PIM maintain a reason able standard, such as Robert Kiste, Floyd Takeuchi and Nor man Douglas do not seem to be writing for the magazine any longer.

Did they know something sooner than the readers? Thank God at least the Danielssons are still submitting copy.

But probably the most ob vious aspect of this decline in standards is the quality of the editorials these days.

The effort calling itself ‘PIM opinion’ on Libya and Vanuatu was as pathetic as I have ever seen. I note the editorials these days seem to feature a lot of blank space.

Is this an indication of the editor’s understanding of his topic?

If PIM can’t lift its game it deserves to be consigned to the trash can of journalistic history.

Perhaps the kindest thing its publishers could do would be to ackowledge its advancing years and increasing feebleness by giving it a golden handshake and sending it into retirement.

William Bennett

Flora Street Sutherland, NSW *The ill-tempered Mr Bennett is in a minority. PIM sales continue to increase editor.

As a former PIM reader who has returned to the fold after a number of years, I write to record my appreciation of how the magazine has changed.

From what I recall in the old days, PIM was something full of social chit chat and academic mutual back slapping.

The latest issue I have seen, (August) is, by comparison, full of news and analysis as opposed to rehashed reports that appeared in the local press some time ago.

However, I must agree with Mr Crain (August PIM, letters) that your editorial in June “The Cost of Links With Libya” is wide of the mark.

One suspects that, for one thing, Vanuatu simply seeks to make the point that it does have the right to establish relations with whomsoever it pleases. As a sovereign nation, surely that right is undeniable.

The “concerns” voiced by Australia and others smack of paternalism we’re big enough to deal with Libya and the Soviets, but you’ll have to grow up first.

Likewise on fisheries deal ings. Both New Zealand and the USA have fisheries agree ments with the Soviet Union, as PIM has reported on several occasions. How then can these two countries get upset when Kiribati or Vanuatu or anybody else seeks similar commercial agreements?

As for Vanuatu becoming isolated, it seems increasingly that the majority of island states are swinging round towards the Vanuatu-Kiribati position.

That said, thanks for the “new” PIM. I now look forward to it each month. (Name witheld for professional reasons), Boroko, PNG.

Pitcairn pen

pal, please?

I am writing to RIM to seek a penfriend on Pitcairn Island.

I am deeply interested in the fascinating history of this island, which sheltered the Bounty mutineers of 1789. I have studied the story so closely that I am able to draw a map of the island from memory, which I enclose.

My great dream is to corres pond with a girl who lives on Pitcairn Island. Beyond that, I hope one day to be able to go to Pitcairn to see first-hand what it is like.

I am 26 years of age, and I love black hair and deep brown eves.

Piero Pirisi

Via Silvestro II N2l 00767 Rome, Italy