Pacific Stamp Box
p. 46 · Read in the full issue
Edited by John Hunter
F ALL Pacific nations, the one ■ Wto attract the most adverse publicity in 1988 was, ironi- New Zealand once noted for its conservative stamp issuing policy and freedom from controversy.
However, this has all changed: last month I indicated the battle raging between Otorohanga Document Ex change Service and its competition with New Zealand Post and the latest furore centres on New Zealand’s Royal 100’ stamp exhibition, an ex hibition of national importance.
In what could pass as a scene from Fawlty Towers' , New Zealand Post threatened to close its stand and walk out of its exhibition unless an adjoin ing stand ceased selling a so-called ‘Cinderella’ item a label used by a private company for delivery of items.
Several deadlines and threats later, the adjoining stamp dealer reluctantly
stopped selling the offending item
over the counter and New Zealand Post opened its stand.
The company has advertised the
‘Cinderella’ item (featuring Steinlager
I , the New Zealand trimaran that re cently won the Bicentennial Round Australia Yacht Race) throughout the world in the knowledge that New Zea land Post has recently lost a number
of court actions against competing pri
vate mail contractors; this incident only adds to NZ Post’s loss of face.
Native flowers are featured on the FIJI November 21 issue of 9c, 30c, 45c and $1 denominations.
NEW ZEALAND’S wildflower set is due out on January 18: 40c clover; 60c lotus; 70c Monbretia; 80c
wild ginger.
PITCAIRN ISLAND marked the 150th anniversary of the Constitution with a November 30 set in 20c, 40c, $1.05 and $l.BO denominations. Four 90c Christmas nativity stamps also were issued. Upcoming releases in
dude a Bicentenary sheetlet (first of three), six 20c stamps depicting Bligh’s sailing to Tahiti on the Bounty. A second Bicentenary sheetlet of six 90c stamps is due out on April 28 depict ing the mutiny on the Bounty. An air craft set is expected in July and island profiles are due in October.
NEW CALEDONIA marked the Rot ary International Polio Plus campaign with the October 27 release of 220 F stamps featuring Rotary and polio symbols. A 250 F Health For All stamp was released on November 17 for the 40th anniversary of the World Health
Organisation.
FRENCH POLYNESIA released a set depicting Protestant missionaries on December 7: 80F Papeiha (1800- 1840); 90F Pastor Henry Nott (1774-1844); 100 F President Samuel Paapoto (1921-1976).
AUSTRALIA’S Christmas set was issued on October 31 with 32c, 37c and 63c stamps featuring children’s drawings of Christmas themes.
SAMOA issued a Christmas set and a souvenir on November 14 depicting churches of Samoa: 15S Congrega tional, Apia; 40S Roman Catholic; 45S Congregational, Moatea; $2
Ba’hai temple.
VANUATU released a set on the
Food and Agricultural Organisation
on November 14: VT4S crops; VTSS fisherman; VT6S pigs; VTI2O market.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA released a set depicting ships on November 16: It La Boudeuse, 1768; lOt Swallow, 1767; 30t Vitiaz, 1871; K 3 Samoa, 1884. 1989 releases include flowers on January 25, letter writing on March 22, native dwellings on May 17, small birds on July 12 and a Christmas issue on November 8. □