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2/1/1977 - The Pacific Islands- Part 2: Melanesia by Donald M. Topping

SOUTHEASTASIA SERIES Vol XXV No Polynesia Micronesia Melanesia THEPACIFICISLANDS Part II Melanesia byDonaldM Topping Melanesia black Islands derives general color people And might suggest racism stronger elsewhere Pacific undisguised spirit colonialism This comes surprise recall three island groups Melanesia still colonies European countries Solomon Islands United Kingdom New Caledonia France incredible New Hebrides United Kingdom France Only Papua New Guinea PNG entered postcolonial phase having broken colonial Australia through termination oftheUNTrusteeship Agree The persistence colonies Melanesia while Polynesia crossed postcolonial period makes perfectly sense colonial pointofview theislands toonedegree another riches obtainable mother country These riches different forms ranging New Caledonia nickel haven profits theNew Hebrides And there great tracts comparison Polynesia Micronesia Much inthehandsofwhiteforeigners ofwhichwas alienated recently through estate sales Hawaii Blessed siderable variety topography Melanesia great potential timber diversified agriculture prized nature gifts minerals including sibly One still terms potential development recently begun Melanesia except New Caledonia nickel mines which before century By large Copyright C American Universities Field Staff Inc DMT February Melanesia until World War II tinued along relatively steady traditional lines people living except those employed plantations colonial administrative centers The great Pacific War changed Guadal canal Bougainville New Georgia Coral Sea memorable names early 1940s South Pacific called Melanesia Although World War II ravage islands Melanesia those Micro nesia lasting impact throughout Apart giving cargo cults various types great exposed Melanesia larger world islanders known before world which promised uncountable cargoes oftreasures Compared Polynesia missionaries earfiest development Mela nesia their colonial administrative leagues While Polynesians learning Western clothes build churches Melanesians still waging tribal warfare often against first white missionarieswhotried establish bases driven When Christianity begin Melanesia bearers gospel amiable Polynesians progressed being converts proselytizers Thus Pacific movement toward Westernization Polynesians ahead their black skinned brothers never closed No doubt another reason comparative development involved Whereas Polynesian Micronesian islands their entirety point Melanesian islands continents mountain ranges TABLEI MELANESIA Land Areas Populations Fiji Samoa biggest ofthe Polynesian communities included comparison Sq Km Population Approximate No ofLanguages Papua New Guinea Solomons New Hebrides New Caledonia Fiji W Samoa The Sixteenth South Pacific Conference United Nations South Seas Map courtesy Bernice P Bishop Museum Pacific Scientific Information Center jungles almost steppe plains gable rivers There simply enough conduct initial explorations parts Papua New Guinea until 1950s TheinhabitantsofMelanesiahavesome sense kindred spirit strongly Polynesia On contrary diversity nounced The limited feeling common identity exist divided between northern Melanesia Papua New Guinea Solo southern New Hebrides New Caledonia The kinship between New Hebrides New Caledonia rather distant restricted Francophone population lessthan oftheNewHebrideans Thatwhich exists between Papua New Guinea Solomons ismuchcloser andhascertainaspects brothe rhood Solomons younger imitative sibling The diversity Melanesia unparalleled Pacific probably entire world Vigorous Polynesian groups found New Hebrides Solomons Papua New Guinea Ebony skinned Bougainvilleans debate haired Papuans Legislative Assembly Port Moresby Solomon Islanders display kalei doscopic array colors combination seemingly possible The religions social systems Melanesia varied languages spoken Papua New Guinea alone In areas tribes living hundred yards distant Melanesian pidgin French linguafranca Such diversity ofcourse acomplexdimen problems decolonization nation which doubt another factor Mela nesia developing later Polynesia first colonies countries Papua New Gu first secessionist problem after pendence which started before attributed least Bougainvillean cultural ethnic identity PNG Their wantoks brothers Solomon Islands Note wantok means literally language To diversity hinders national identification devel opment understatement Highlanders PNG market Photo courtesy George Chaplin There other hindrances national develop nottheleastofwhich istheFrenchresistance New Caledonia New Hebrides where there considerable French other investments plantations mining business Elsewhere Melanesia Australians turned political reins Papua New Guinea The British beleaguered economic problems making gentlemanly efforts withdraw Solomons New Hebrides As Solomon Islanders agree British depart being trapped New Hebrides Protocol Agreement France result which New Hebrides Condominium bizarre political arrangement history To challenges nationhood Melanesia producing leaders Michael Somare Prime Minister Papua New Guinea achieved international attention hosted Premier Hua Kuo Peking Since Somare leads largest complex first independent Melanesian nations success failure probably influence political developments through Melanesia As island groups Melanesia toward their political status hears about complete independence particularly economic independence Melanesians perhaps rightly resources human natural achieve reasonably acceptable They claim guidance emerging leaders selective choosing ofaid being offered various quarters Because island groups Melanesia divided three different colonial powers doing practically nothing collectively regional level discussed individually following sections NewCaledonia There uneasiness pervading New Caledonia France largest territory South Pacific western quarter The uneasiness reaches remote reserves where Mela nesian tribes tribus groups seldom number hundred board rooms sweaty sulfur belching nickel plant where workers available salaries upward The Australian French tourists New Caledonia dozen hotels moderately unmindful uneasiness topless beaches Anse V Isle Pines Still faint rumblings uneasy people there likely tobecome louder before New Caledonia several countries South Pacific which ethnocentric eighteenth century European explorers named claimed New Zealand New Guinea New Britain New Ireland New Hebrides New Georgia New South Wales If intent naming create South Sea replicas European homelands French succeeded Noum6a capital principal cityofNew Caledonia amixed population majority Caucasians In boutiques stores Noum6a incredibly prices latest fashions flown Paris finest winesofBordeaux Stylishlycoifedladies inwedge shoeswalktheirpoodlesdownthesidewalks ofRue Sebastopol Avenue Mar6chal Foch while pomaded pieds noirs Algeria Indochina wheel their Peugeots Citroens through ngested streets The stamp France everywhere language amongthe minority Pacific Island population labor force nearby Soci6t Le Nickel S L N The French administration New Caledonia Frenchmen ofwhom New Caledonia French stamp there And French anything matter there The permanencywould guaranteed through French Parliament making New Caledonia DepartmentofFrance ashas alreadybeendone other places Martinique La R6union Camoro Islands Wallis Futuna Islands Polynesian outlying islands close Western Samoa South Pacific The increasing departmentalization New Caledonia major sources growing uneasiness other being increasing unemployment New Caledonia nickel exports continue While Fre Wallisian Wallis Islands population ofNew Cale donia combined favor departmentaliza Melanesian indigenes minority Tahitian residents strongly opposing views With nearly split crucial issue uneasiness should surprise Neither should potential violence Melanesian militants beginning New Caledonia worth fight In addition nickel deposits centoftheworld sknown reserves NewCaledonia abundant square kilometers only10percentofwhich isinMelanesianhands adepthof80centimetersonly Whilenickel still although faltering potential forestry coffee various products there plantation experienced hands Indochina The tourist industry could doubt flourish could found tobringNewCaledonia costoflivingmore Pacific In short New Caledonia could considered prize which major conflict beginning develop going control France almost undisputed control New Caledonia proper Le Grand Terre neighboring islands including Loyalty group since declared French session While there continued minor resis tance Melanesians known locally Kanaks there international acceptance French New Caledonian connection especially after islands referendum placed New Caledonia category French Polynesia French Overseas Territory As result referendum New Caledonia government structure similar French Polynesia There elected Territorial Noum6a nickel smelting plant background Photo courtesy George Chaplin Assembly members elects members Government Council which performs egial duties takes territorial affairs The Council presided High Commissioner appointed directly France As Head Territory High Commissionera French calls important shots Still framework democracy there elections membership Territorial Assembly every years emergence eight viable political parties another beginning While majority parties French prefer status united constant During recent years marked shifting coalitions because personal vested interests especiallyamongthe white capitalists Within European community itself there exists mutual resentmentbetween Les Caldoches New Caledonian French Les Pieds Noirs renegades Algeria Indo china Les Oreilles metropolitan French ofwhomhave arrived during decade The Caldoches islands belong regarding relatively immigrants inter lopers The Pieds Noirs New Caledonia their refuge Oreilles known Les Osos New Caledonia legitimate escape route dreary European winters South Seas where there profits taxes There divisions among Euro The Vietnamese Wallisians Antilleans agoodnumberoftheFrench Polynesiansfrom Tahiti toward French administration which would insure continued employment immigrant islanders permit Vietnamese continue their entrepreneurship Among theMelanesiansthemselvesthere isaminoritywho maintain their within French administration larger group would prefer government under relaxed French control emerging group whowant outright immediate independence The issues multiple political parties factions basically minerals contains especially nickel Nickel mined New Caledonia since first lodes discovered Dumb6a present Noum6a SincethecloseofWorldWar II nickelmininghas nearly displaced agriculture point where New Caledonia supply ported France New Hebrides Australia Since peaking nickel production export fallen steadily competition mining operations Philippines Australia While businessmen Noum6a about current slump though something there general agreement S L N tough uphill battle remain competi world market NickelmininginNewCaledonia uglybusiness It several noticeably gashes New Caledonia green tains which glare tropica descends airplane international airport Tontouta kilometers north Noum6a Thedourmien ofNouma sMelanesians another dimension there finds French Polynesian ambience Papeete spite French Polynesians Noum6a theirjoie vivre dampened Abite nickel fromNewCaledonia countryside required Le Nickel While Melanesians resent S L N cially which despoils recognize their viable source income since virtually nothing devel aside relatively small amounts copra coffee What Melanesians however greater participation outright control mining operations At present their participation restricted labor force technical handled Europeans Since French investment New Caledonia nickel processing considerable unlikely company govern relinquish their interests though nickel market currently depressed Their deter mination stick underscored France recent moves departmentalize New Caledonia possible before Melanesian indepen dence movements Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands New Hebrides further inroads The issue while related minerals growing Melanesian ethnic awareness traditional Melanesiancustom That90percentofNew Cale donia alienated little compensation become major source satisfaction among Melanesians rallying point French movement Claiming lands their ancestors stolen young Melanesian militants demanding restitution though areas tracing original ownership would prove difficult impossible Return ancestral lands become focal point Kanak movement during brief stormy history Although Melanesian resistance French there signifi organization until Nidoshe Naisseline islands first Sorbonne trained sociologist alsoahereditarychiefofMare Island Loyalty Islands began organizing meetings theme Melanesian cultural identity The youthful Naisseline through French educational systemmthe available New Caledonia experienced cultural awakening while studying abroad concluded Melanesian brothers New Caledonia being robbed their cultural untouched ethnic awakening already gaining considerable momentum other parts Pacific His arrest September imprisonment organ izing activities provoked Noum6a formation first milita political group Les Foulards Rouges Red Scarves A French guage journal called Reveil Canaque founded inhopesofspreadingthenew native politics The formation Les Foulards Rouges elected Kanaks leave Union Cal6donienne which headed Europeans party whose primary Kanak autonomy Although headed Melane sians strong Melanesian ideology party adopted Union Multiraciale Nouvelle Caledonie designed gather support other European residents sympathetic French In Secretary General ofthe newlyformedUnion Multiraciale Mr Yann Celene Uregei formerly Union Caledo nienne clarified party goals Let status factions realize death struggle heads kanaka New Caledonia Mr Uregei elected member Territorial Assembly carrying Union Multiraciale banner subsequently declared unequivocal support total independence France surprise offer either depart mentalization independence offer response Kanak request government autonomism Most analysts interpreted French offer scare tactic stifle pendence movement In young sociologist Naisseline again arrested imprisoned Such action coincidently prevented standing Territorial Assembly Union Multiraciale candidate Demonstrations disagreements followed until breach developed between original Foulards Rouges party leadership faction accusing other selling extremism The following young Melanesian schoolteachers along Naisseline three fifths university trained Melanesian population New Caledonia ralli significant group whose focus return native lands Kanaks Calling itself after which New Caledonian lands appropriated French group organized teams among tribes reserves spread political ethnicawareness Both ofthe organizers young woman arrested imprisoned months demonstrating against annual military parade commemorating New Cale donia becoming French possession In growing repression French authorities position taken Union Multiraciale leadership three young political jailbirds January formed nucleus growing movement known PALIKA Partie Liberation Kanak The sudden formation group sparked point blank shooting Kanak named Kamouda French policeman shortly after incident secretly spirited France reassignment Ine xperienced professional politics without power leaders PALIKA attempting through village level grassroots organization rally Kanaks around ethnicity theme return native lands Plainly French anticapitalist PALIKA pushing Black Power theme frequent refer ences American Black Panther movement which includes strong injunctions against competi tivesportsandtheuseofalcohol ofwhich viewed French designs encourage degradation divisiveness amongthe Melanesian population A study conducted three villages Protes Church revealed percent income spent alcoholic beverages AttemptsbyPALIKAtoenlistthe support ofthe majority Protestant Church success since Catholic Church staffed exclusively French priests potential Kanak support there Unlike their leagues New Hebrides Protestant Mela nesian clergy ofNew Caledonia trying remain apolitical although there signs As Kanak graduate Suva Pacific Theological College The church directly involved politics We concerned social problems develop concept freedom dignity individual Ifthisbecomes political Recognizing potential force Protestant clergy village level churches mission schools Fifth Congress Union Multiraciale passed formal motion questingthesupportofthechurches inthe political movement With encouragement their counterparts intheNewHebrides theymeet through conferences arranged Pacific Council Churches quite possible Melanesian clergy New Caledonia themselves accepting active political arena The French administration reacted growing political unrest Kanak recognition increased rigidity In response Kanak requests inclusion indigenous language culture studies school curricu administration countered D6br Law effects which bring schools New Caledonia including mission schools under official French system proscribing inclusion anything already Paris ordained syllabus Political dissidents express themselves through mimeographed tracts promptly arrested tried exiled their native villages autre euphemism local prison situated small island coast Noumea A known sympathizer English works New Hebrides National Party recently refused entry Tontouta Airport Such measures stern cratic standards especially Pacific Islands In spiteofsuchsternmeasuresorperhapseven stimulated themthe Kanak movement seems gaining support within New Caledonia visiting Pacific Island leaders attended sixteenth South Pacific Conference Noum6a October There evidence moreover French govern beginning notice In abrupt turnabout proposed visit NewCaledonia inAugust Oliver Stirn Secretary State Overseas Territories De partments DOM TOM cancelled French authorities strong united opposition PALIKA Union Multiraciale other signatories Melanesian factions Territorial Assembly This might inter preted government desire avoid frontation On other Union Multi raciale reported October French government moving swiftly toward imposing departmentalization New Caledonia before independence forces stronger If attempted moderate Melanesians predicting widespread violence It would appear voices independence areatleastbeingheard ifnotacknowledged One maywell whythe French hanging determinedly Pacific movement decolonization waning luster nickel In first place New Caledonia sunny skies sandy beaches clear ocean waters where polluted sewage become Frenchmen including indeterminate number rootless pieds noirs among coloni alists world breed easily Another reason French reluctance leave New Caledonian military establishment which includes regular troops force Since there flict South Pacific since World War II suspects large garrison there either quell internal disorder purpose maintaining French prese western Pacific counterbalance eastern French Polynesia Another possible reason New Caledonia represents vestiges waning empire which contracting since WorldWarII oftenwithmajorconvulsions While remaining fragments small flung still L which French Louis XIV Then there always hopeand beliefthat nickel recover Since third world known resources New Caledonia seems likely sooner later Le Nickel revived through improved technology On other would happen ifindependencecametoNewCaledonia hasalreadyhappenedinPapuaNewGuineaand slated future Solomons probably New Hebrides With Mela nesian university graduates lawyers doctors administrators technicians would Melanesians Melanesian independenc movement leaders given thought anticipated although there detailed program High ontheir listofchangeswouldbenationalizationof nickel industry which their would provide equitable distribution profits ifany Foreign techniciansfrom France other industrialized country China Soviet Union usually mentioned would hired until Melanesians could trained replace Another immediate change would involve return lands Melanesian hands Since aboriginal titles virtually nonexistent reversion would undoubtedly prove difficult stormy business Moreover imple mentationwould necessitatetheexpulsionofmany ifnot ofthe Melanesians TheKanaks aremindful ofthe oftotal nomic collapse New Caledonia present state ofheadyidealismthey proclaim their preference being slaves colonialist But mindful their experience isolation fellow Melanesians Solomons Papua New Guinea Anglophone New Hebrideans share common anticolonial ideology The Melanesian pidgin which serves polyglot Melanesia never penetrated New Cale donia With French communication medium among New Caledonia tribes their antiadministration rallies French political literature What prospects change New Cale donia Given Melanesians outnum bered New Caledonia foreigners given their linguistic economic isolation their Pacific neighbors except Francophone New Hebrideans would appear against Still waves change indepen dence sweeping Pacific force mayreach Quai Orsay through channels United Nations For moment however storm confined islands Caledonia where there definite uneasiness Pacific TheNewHebrides The New Hebrides pandemonium pretty tired Pacific It Badly conceived British French governments solidified Anglo French Protocol modified slightly theNewHebridesCondominiumgovernment never worked could never politically divided community Melanesia Pacific matter their early steps toward independence How independence should major public issues dividing principal political parties governing metropolitan countries New Hebrides NH The other public universally acknowledged issue France desire remain New Hebrides British withdraw The Dualistic New Hebrides where everything comes pairs Photo courtesy George Chaplin A brief overview condominium concept political bipolarization which interlock other peripheral nevertheless substantial issues complexity already complex Melanesia where seventy languages exist among population about people scattered islands Condominium government which calls joint British French therefore duplication virtually everythingincluding public vices immigration legal systems postage broad casting currencywas first agreed superseded Protocol Agreement finally ratified Ostensibly concept based government desire control citizens already buying operating plantations nesses intheNewHebrides HistorianDeryckScarr claims The Anglo French New Hebrides Convention emerged original objectofwhich British atany establish tribunal settle disputes And could probably French since Europeans New Hebrides atthetimeoftheagreementswereFrench British buyers developers doing theearlybuyingwithsuchitems ofbarter three pieces turkey twill packet matches stickstobaccoandsixpipes in1902 In effort ruling governments together things could reasonably shared third formed christened Condominium mutually readable meaningless languages Rather tioning working governments grown third bureaucracy equally divided between metropolitan governments The Con dominium coupled offices British French Residencies third colonial bureaucratic force New Hebrideans still reckon grope their toward independence In eliminating three bureaucratic heads National Party New Hebrides NPNH dozen political partiesmade August before UN Committee Decolonization referendum NH select ruling governments withdraw NH immediately leaving New Hebrideans negotiate independence It secret NPNH would prefer French leave possible To about New Hebrides against backdrop current political fight easily complex Pacific already steam The assorted participants anticipated battles ahead pretty stake And participants seasoned fighters They colons pieds noirs already before Indochina Algeria aware Melanesia their colonial stand They likely fight earnest using tactics learned along Lined plantation group French business firms which based New Caledonia which began liferate after New Hebrides declared haven Anglo French orities The Roman Catholic Church along Melanesian congregation priests there three forms third Francophone member groupwhowanttopreservethe status Mostof Melanesian congregation scattered throughout archipelago Union Communautes Nouvelles Hebrides U C N H conservative Franeophone political party which talks about independence ready With French oriented political found bizarre bedfellows including power colorful group combining Melanesians French Canadians Americans probably Australianswhohavedriftedtogetherin acommon effort preserve todevelopment ofNew Hebridean particularly island Espiritu Santo nowknown Santo Abrief review ofthesepoliticalgroups ishelpful inunderstanding complex easily resolved problems The NPNH began around New Hebrides Cultural Association which included Anglo Francophone Melanesians joined together their desire strengthen ethnic awareness common interests among Mela nesians throughout archipelago It formally became political party October although remained broad vague until headquarters moved Santo Vila andaMelanesianAnglicanpriestwasnamed presi From thatpoint theNPNHbegan totake distinctly Anglophone orientation identify closely English speaking Condominium government which provides advice financial assistance In addition wanting single government which negotiate NPNH taken strong stand favoring independence although stand softened since October their Solomon Island neighbors requested indefinite deferral independence which observers thought might granted before Catholic woman New Hebrides where religion politics mixed With independence would nationalization acres alienated mostofwhich isownedbyindividualFrench Socit Francaise Nouvelles Hebrides Private Australian British Ameri landholdings would considered nationalization because argue NPNH gotten first place The repatriation platform considerable appeal rural masses constitute percent Melanesian population And preciselythedesign oftheurban based intellectual leaders party schooled Britain New Zealand University South Pacific USP University Papua New Guinea thelattertwoofwhich theFrench disdainandlook centers irresponsible radicalism We bridge rural urban educated uneducated Barak Sope USP educated author spokesman NPNH Even within educated elite Sope continues There another party bridge between British educated French educated New Hebrideans Toreachthe ruralpopulation theNPNHhas strong support Anglican Presbyterian Churches whose membership includes majority Melanesians New Hebrides Breaking their traditional conservative apolitical Presbyterian Church New Hebrides issued declaration which called among other things South Pacific Commission United Nations cooperation helping New Hebrides achieve government without delay without violence preparation people duties functions rights espon sibilities ofindependent government The local church NPNH connection reportedly denied strengthened financial support fromtheWorldCouncil ofChurches While church support NPNH bridge rural uneducated urban educated force closing other British versus French educated would tantamount bridging exists between Native dwelling Santo New Hebrides where specula generated heated Rome Canterbury Virtually French educated New Hebrideans members Roman Catholic Church The other major political group Union Communautes Nouvelles Hebrides U C N H which sugests Francophone orientation entire French business plantationcommunity manyofthembased inNew Caledonia solid backing It backed would appear Roman Catholic Church Melanesian priest U C N H Secretary allege French government which believed Pacific Islanders three Pacific colonies Australian New Zealand businessmen islands known supportive U C N H Aside different linguistic affinities U C N H disagrees NPNH which U C N H leaders members several other critical issues especially The U C N H would allow alien landholders retain developed lands Only landland alienated developedwould returned Melanesians position could attracting every Mien landholder would probably development started alreadydone The U C N H although equally unhappy condominium arrangement would delay independence until ready This indefinite delay based fears expressed party leaders Asian communist nation wouldmoverightin ifimmediateindependence proposed NPNH granted These fears based least conviction NPNH leaders influenced idees gauches driftingoutoftheUniversityofthe South Pacific University Papua New Guinea Also U C N H leaders New Hebrides simply ready problems ofindependence What would happen French speaking New Hebrideans still minority growing numbers intensified French education program National Party gained power U C N H party leader pointing there isasignificantnumberofMelanesiansinthe New Hebrides New Caledonia ployment nickel industry Provision maintenance bilingual education English French after independence considered crucial U C N H which accuses National Party ofwanting Angl icize everything This basic bipolarization New Hebrides complicated existence several other smaller parties which share political ideas major parties which drifting U C N H issue Oneofthese istheMouvementd Aetion Nouvelles Hebrides M A N H formerly called Mouvement Autonomiste French planters party based island Santo Another Jon Frum movement cargo group number about people southern island Tanna whose origins early 1900s began resist European encroach The Jon Frum wants right develop itsownlaissez faireway regardless ofwhich political party prevails Athird minority party complex composition Na griame island Santo puted speculation twentieth century The Na griamel together result ofaMelanesianmovementtoregainlands thathad acquired Soci6t Francaise Nouvelles Hebrides S F N H approved Joint French British Court After S F N H cleared acreages ofbush forpasture Melanesians countered moving settling which tioned Na griamel declaration Act Dark Bush By leadership begun change hands Chief Buluk caste Melanesian named Jimmy Moses Stevens bothofwhomwereimprisoned in1967for trespassing alienated property In spite temporary leadership movement numbers areas Undaunted month prison experience Jimmy Stevens emerged Na griamel leader presented Na griamel petition New Hebridean independence UN Com mittee Decolonization which respond positively Other Melanesians New Hebridean elected Advisory Co uncil ofwhom already favoring independence criticized Stevens declaration Nevertheless Na griamel movement remained unbroken managed gaintwo seats M A N H November elections first Repre sentative Assembly which presumably Condominiumtosomenewformofpolitical status On December again August Jimmy Stevens proclaimed Santo other northern islands independent Na griamel Federation proceeded Na griamel passport currency through services Letcher Mint California which already Pacific Island minting Solomon Mamaloni Chief Minister Solomon Islands The reason New Hebridean independence independence Santo northern islands Na griamel stronghold closely linked American business interests Starting Honolulu developer named Howard Eugene Pe acock began tobuy large tractsofland mainlyonSanto subdivide mostly Hawaii residents GIs Vietnam This highly profitable speculation venture tinued unabated until August Resident Commissioners issued Joint Regulations Nos 15and16tocontrolthesubdivisionofland New Hebrides through taxation scheme which retrocactive January Two years later Resident Commissioners struck Peacock group again rejecting division scheme acres which already bought luckless landless chasers mostly Americans Peacock deeply involved multimillion dollar development scheme these setbacks encouraged another avenue things working An pendent Santo Jimmy Stevens Na griamel talking about looked attractive general election Stevens Peacock visioned Hawaii develop Santo Waikiki Americans ously several Another major alien member group porting Na griamel American libertarian Carson City Nevada Michael Oliver already achieved considerable notoriety Pacific through attempts establish independent Republic Minerva about miles southwest Tongatapu Tonga attempt dramatically foiled King George Tupou IV himself Still looking place establish complete libertarian state which Oliver others persuasion could tried similar scheme Bahamas Abaco Island again This second defeat stimulated Oliver consider potentially independent state New Hebridean island Santo where bought acres Jimmy Stevens Peacock could hardly remained stranger Through machinery Oliver Phoenix Foundation American developers viding generous support Na griamel polit party including illegal radio station Vanafo Na griamel headquarters Santo which joint government authorities tried toclosedown TheNPNHaccuses French supporting British dragging their Santo Golf Club NewHebrides The beginnings South Pacific Waikiki The strange amalgamation Stevens Peacock Oliver thing common independence Santo Should succeed Peacock Oliver numerous French planters might proceed business usual King Jimmy Stevens their Melanesian state The other thing common along U C N H M A N H andJonFrum isfearoftheNPNHand unified New Hebrides which alienated lands would returned either tomary owners government Whether strong enough create alliance against NPNH known Although dispos ition certainlyoneofthekeyissues ofpolitics theNew Hebrides metropolitan language speaks istheother AndmostoftheJonFrumand Na griamel members mention Peacock Oliver wouldnotknowenoughFrenchto recite plume dematante All political parties New Hebrides arena November their first contest seats Representative Assembly which designed governing after independence With percent turnout polls theNPNHcame outwith slightmajority Representative Assembly RA other seats going U C N H M A N H Na griamel Scheduled shortly after election November Representative Assembly convened until June after administra delays European Residencies The principle reasons delay controversy seating traditional chiefs Jimmy Stevens protest elected chiefs Protestant minister Stevens claim could In spite number seats designated exclusively customary chiefs before election French Resident Commissioner U C N H wanted increase number eight British French This demand month after election whichcausedtheNPNHto label themove asadelayingtactictopreventtheRAfrom meeting toweakentheNPNHmajority When Representative Assembly finally June session lasted three resulting major decision which resolved argument number chiefs Repre sentative Assembly The formation indepen advisory Council Chiefs patterned after Fiji model adopted Before Representative Assembly reconvene Electoral Disputes Committee formed Condominium response plaints Jimmy Stevens others nullifie elections Santo grounds voter registrations Through admitted administrative errors nullification rekindled political flames throughout islands Santo trict becoming especially Special police forcements Santo preparation October election disputed Santo seats Representative Assembly contest could tipped balance NPNH It Although Jimmy Stevens stood election NPNH forces still tained their election SincetheNPNH stillmaintainsaslightmajority Representative Assembly there doubt strong moves toward immediate elimination French administration followed deliberate steps toward independence program calling first economic political development interest Melanesians While their program admittedly vague basic organ ization calls decentralized government organ progressively smaller groups level within village Preservation present cultural diversity would somehow encouraged On other should U C N H Na griamel M A N H Jon Frum anceincredible though seemland New Hebrides would remain alienated business would usual under present since haven status except there would eventual moves toward independence either theNew Hebrides several fragmented island states In February Nationalist Party NPNH Malekula issued posteleetion proclamations thefirstofwhich isthename switch Nationalist Party Vanuaaku Party which would reflect proposed countryVanuaaku Other procla mations include Independence All administrative police functions handled bychiefs Exclusion Br itish French Resi dencies Closing French schools March Boycotting Representative Assembly Economic development New Hebrides steady since World War II quantum beginning haven status declaration which brought investors caused number banks inVila population tojumpfromtwo dozen However economic benefits Melanesians percent potential force gainfully employed French Australian N6w Zealanders British American Chinese Viet namese meanwhile prospered copra cattle timber reasonably profitable Pacific region tourism And numerous patriate civil servants three governments require considerable support services throughout islands Although rivers ofmoneyflowthrough theinternationalassortmentofbanksinVila little Melanesians New Hebrides which cause growing amount resent Still islands developed their potential claims first Government Eco nomic Development planner New Hebrides early along French counterpart Pulp timber poten export industry which Melanesians could operate little pendence technological assistance The timber landsarethere andbeefcattleseemtothrive New Hebrides local French claim beefin world Bytakingadvantage ofthe taxhaven status several superb natural harbors New Hebrides could develop foreign maritime facilities fishing possibly other types fleets provide anchorage supertankers develop flagshipbasealongthe lines ofPanama Liberia develop Free Trade Zone possibly including industrial concept If managed properly these potential economic schemes could bring degree perity indigenes New Hebrides However present systems education theNewHebridesare linewith theeconomic potentials systems being basically European imports marked difference French building theirs after French model while British taking steps toward indigenization moving Having gotten start education New Hebrides French government about years began developing school system supplement Roman Catholic schools rival already established Anglo phone missions mainly Anglican Presbyterian British government In process chintzy While Anglophone schools charge levels French schools comers Whereas Anglophone school buildings general modest showing signs under tropical rains French schools shine efforts regularly maintenance crews This surprising since French government currently spending times their condominium partners educa This lopsided expenditure balance shows conspicuously French Lycee College Technique which started years sophisticated vocational school where Pacific Holding philosophy education intheNewHebrideswillbeidenticaland equal metropolitan France French government imported complete staff Algeria hands latest machinery teaching metalwork masonry carpentry automobile mechanics business machinesall oriented machines France In Lycde finds French children patriate residents ofVilaand elsewhere theNew Hebrides along ablest Melanesian youths survived rigorous examination cedures There study French curriculum Paris taught exclusively expatriate teachers Neither curriculum standards compromised In Collge Technique expatriate child sight Watching young island students learning automobile repair Citroens Peugeots operation metal lathes drill presses building brick archways difficult avoid question Education What There little progrfim suggests educa reliance The British system while still bearing marks Colonial Office clearly moving toward complete localization future under London mandate educate Melanesians economic realities island nation That leave system independent New Hebrides could afford maintain create cated unemployable elite already happened Micronesia Cook Islands other parts Pacific This underlying approach keeping generally acknowledged British desire New Hebrides hoped grace The exist between major polit parties their respective British French educational backgrounds exert force competitiveness developed between school systems mostly French In effort majority school population French provide education boarding schools while British charge poorest subsistence level villages In addition general quality attractiveness physical plants French schools attractive It would surprise money Melanesians would their children Francophone schools families loyal Presbyterians Anglicans Melanesian desires development divided along political lines which already described The independence minded Melanesians foreign invest foreign But NPNH leaders investments terms favorable Melanesians learning mistakes someoftheirPacificIsland neighbors especially Fiji Papua New Guinea favorable terms Still theforeignaid isalreadybeginningtocome Australia New Zealand The government New Zealand giving New Hebrides LCT ofbarge while Australia A million ready construction rural water system heavy Australian machinery airport construction neither which makes sense terms Melanesian economic development Since ANZ going govern ments France United Kingdom probably bewildering inter national where developed countries giving other developed countries Perhaps could happen New Hebrides pande monium Solomon Islands While other Pacific Island countries anxiously await government Solomon Islands having trouble getting together Originally scheduled indepen dence willing Great Britain November which would brought protectorate status government which elected June requested granted indefinite postponement The reasons backward backward sense running counter Pacific independence mentsare entirely clear But neither anything Solomon Islands The reason anxious waiting repeated refrain around Pacific Solomons doing something different Just meant different entirely clear connotes strong desire avoid falling under control ofWestern capitalist interests Themessage filters through independence Solomons comes bring compl pendence political economic Although there grudges against Great Britain Solomons strings other Pacific Island nations those their colonial mother countries The Solomon finger usually pointed neigh Such ideals newly independent countries boringPapuaNewGuineaasanexampleofwhat notuncommonintheThirdWorld butareseldom Solomon Islanders avoid realized Solomon Islanders pitfalls involved Yet exude certain amount confidence When Solomon Islanders asked about optimism tempered heavy realism their different approach development studying patterns other reply differently worded versions emerging nations around world It their theme Solomon confidence convincing Mamaloni first former Chief Minister Pacific Solomons foreword National Develop really something develop perhaps Plan their We build nation force The central government remains direction centre expatriate colonial administration ticipation people seated Honiara dusty seared nation The three corner stones Plan squeezed narrow strip coral therefore decentralization distribution rating seashore foothills decolonisation mountains southwest The fierce Guadalcanal invasion By decentralising power distributing Honiara after fighting stopped economic opportunities intend break stands commercial political vicious circle centralisation rural huboftheSolomonIslands Speakersofthe70 decay elitism which results languages including Polynesian types colonial system By planned economic barefoot along front numerous development ourselves Chinese shops scattered throughout dependence others basic chattering their heavily Anglicized version material needs technology financial Melanesian pidgin This political economic liberation search Solomon From Honiara planes boats messages Islands national identity O H M S envelopes major Children Langalanga Islands Malaita Solomon Islands Woman Langalanga Islands drilling holes shell beads principal source ofcash income community countless smaller islands where percent population villages which still relatively unaffected West ernization Thatched housing including picturesque thatched roofs which rapidly giving corrugated parts Pacific still predominant local transportation dugout paddle canoes The population young growing percent birthrate there still ample generation exceptontherelativelycrowded islandofMalaita Subsistence fairly maintain Solomons A little cropping copra cocoa spices small cottage industry shell beads carving usually possible those income which includes about everybody While present level rural might appear satisfying Solomon Islanders their brothers elsewhere Pacific wantmore Where Solomons other island nations especially those Polynesia potential generating money people In addition island standby coprathe Solomons biggest export itemthere timberlands underexploited fishing sources early signs promise minerals especially bauxite Rennell Island other agricultural products spices cattle To successful development schemes undertaken heavy sions capital either government foreign investment which Solomons government wants avoid future Also commercially successful schemes certain negative aspects Much productive timberland denuded little effort reforestation Beef cattle operations which generous support Australian South Pacific Commission placed subsistence lands govern backed cocoa schemes during 1960s In short someofthedevelopmentschemesbearthe marksofshortsighted planning The largest commercial agricultural ation being conducted Lever Brothers multi national corporation whose synonymous products Holding leases tracts agricultural Lever probably remain Solomons providing employment agricultural workers continuing develop agricultural products schemes raising cattle coconut plantations ofwhich foreign owned The beefcattle scheme known Pacific Cattle Under Coconuts received strong backing South Pacific Commission Commercial production being attempted severe setbacks ferocious eating insects bytheC BrewerCompanyofHawaii fertile Guadalcanal Plain Honiara The project other projects Solomons partly government controlled Large scale production Solomons still being experimented Guadalcanal Pl Commonwealth Development Corporation cooperation government Solomon Islands Both crops according experts promising especially developers persuade farmers trees attention require especially during vesting The development commercial fishing TaiyoCompanyofJapan again inpartnershipwith Solomons government already surpassed expectations plans second cannery under Fish which listed Solomons export commodity rapidly placing timber number export accounting Solomon Islanders interest territorial zones being proposed theInternationalLawofthe Sea For small individual communal farms which government encourages through offering special services groups whose communal lands equal hectares nical advice assistance including tenanc heavy equipment provided various foreign governments including United States through Peace Corps Volunteersthe Melanesia Technical assistance provided individuals fishing cocoa spice production produced spectacular results The change patterns required successful commercial fishing farming comes slowly rural community Solomon Islands exception Development bauxite mining tourism offtoaslow start Theentirebauxitedeposit Rennell Vaghena Islands small Mela nesian standards which Rennell Polynesian Even before first spadeful trouble brewing There hints Bougainville Rennellese secession movement rumors Rennellese inter ested seeing their island subjected ravages mining Nauru Ocean Island Gilbert Islands Although mining industry could provide quickest means reliance attendant problems mayhold check being Tourism being great caution Solomons which offers hotel rooms entire country When thousand passengers cruise ships annum Honiara knows It perhaps experience genuine concern maintaining cultural integrity prompted government reject offers building major tourist hotels devel oping industry The percent rural population Solomons might handle With these potentials Solomon Islands government develop ferently What specific plans which codified first govern prettv adopted since Jtlle The which stressed Mr Mamaloni foreword National Develo pment Pan reiterated Mr Peter Kenilorea current Chief Minister staff decentralization accompanied devolution power authority Implementation basic policy hoped prevent concentration power people Honiara Crucial concept practice Local Government Councils LGC patterned afterthemodelofPapuaNewGuinea which isnow intheprocessofabandoningthem The elected members LGCs Area Committees represent different local communities Solo These LGCs designed closely elected members popular Legislative Assembly whose ranks Chief Minister chosen He selects eight cabinet members among members The central government trying encourage election customary chiefs LGCs sumably giving these bodies traditional sanction making presentative grassroots social organization found Legislative Assembly Theoretically LGCs their community needs known central government which theory responds egalitarian At present pragmatic approach central government access revenues includ foreign Although government leaders aware dangeroftheconcentration ofmoneyandpower Honiara still optimisticthattheLDCscan assume responsible development oflocal enterpriseand government Theconceptof local revenues which would increase autonomy LGCs considered But dangers inequity under scheme blatantly inherent bauxite richRennellcouldkeep ofher anticipated millions while overcrowded Malaita would continue poorer This problem being resolved Following decentralization policy avoiding population concentrations public works division emphasizing development water transportation rather roads which there surprisingly comparison other Pacific islands One reason emphasis stems beliefthat systems create concentrations population which Solomons avoid Other arguments Solomon Islanders traditionally water transport cases already means veyance Water transport systems require maintenance budgets Road transport would encourage individual island change development while water transport following established patterns would develop inter island commerce consciousness Any Solomon Islander still canoe which still principal means transportation thousands Solomon Islanders Air traffic within Solomonsall profit making privately owned Solairfollows pattern based World War II American builtlandingstrips mostofwhichare stillinexcel condition Commercial ventures sawmills building fishing operations canneries service facilities being strategically located rural areas decentralization policy people already centrated Honiara Decentralization clearly education where rather steps alreadybeentaken Usingas theirblueprint study called Education What conducted Solomon Islanders Department Education adopted clear guidelines education economically ideologically suited reliant Solomon Islands Basically calls establishing maintaining village primary schools percent school children attend establishing vocationally oriented Area High Schools maintaining present number academically oriented ondaryschoolsforselected students ofwhom would abroad tertiary schooling Since education Solomons conducted exclusivelybymissionschools untilthe early 1960s predominantly until government lately trying provide universal primary education village level One first steps dismantle large centralized mission boarding schools which being utilized Area High Schools Although mission schools efficient viding primary education contributed toward alienation ofyouth their families lages which often seven The policy stresses importance young children identifying their villages families means maintaining strong custom oriented society The decentralization policy necessitates buildingofschools inthemanycommunitieswhere previously existed Since government emphasizingthe conceptofcommunityschools initiative school munity which assistance central government depending ostensibly The least government provide teacher probably community least decade uncertified partly certified The Area High Schools extension community education concept curricu designed prepare students needs community development Basic skills literacy taught along practical subjects carpentry nomics agriculture outboard motor repair depending community needs Ecology ronment stressed combining knowledge traditional practices teachings world environment watchers Although Area High Schools produce useful productive young adults opposed unemployable elites having fficulty gaining acceptance Parents their children secondary school still expect usual reward students themselves salaried white collar Such available Solomons other parts Pacific which Solomon Islxnds government aware trying through Area High School The Department Education trying perately avoid problem plagues every other Pacific Island country hordes alienated unemployed school leavers aimlessly streets towns looking nonexis tentjobsand usuallyfindingtrouble ofoneform another So problem Solomons acute become decentralized community based education works As effort maintain population persal acceptability collar employ government attempting close between bottom salaried employe approximately seven The approach salaries which independent Solomon Islands could barely afford maintain while slowly raising lower salaries Competition private sector especially expatriate companies cause difficulties Cooperative societies village level through country might viewed something different although British spired models found elsewhere Pacificthe New Hebrides Fijihave turned successful Introduced British admin istration supported Peace Corps advisers Cooperatives considered unworkable Solomon Islanders mainly because based foreign concepts which completely outofstepwithMelanesiancustoms The story Coop headquarters building Honiara built British funds stands testimony bureaucracy Solomon Island leaders Other offers foreign beginning trickle Honiara treated caution Aid veteran Melanesian government official But without usual strings things think needed Above Solomons leadersclaim towantto avoidbecomingdependent Such however desirable diffi country received A million A million recurrent expenses While stated policy eliminate foreign recurrent expenditures there convinced The veteran civil servants especially fearful attraction foreign holds politicians mindful elitism foreign encouraged other Pacific tries While Solomons attempt something different areas mentioned above holds promise Islanders going ficult unless resolve apparent conflict between Western parliamentarian government Melanesian conflict become apparent since second Legislative Assembly June In parts Melanesia chief Unlike hereditary fellow chiefs Polynesia criticized their indolence Melanesian society perform deeds merit title Coming proper lineage chiefly makes somewhat easier Be cause great variety tribes different languages Papua New Guinea alone number people under chieftainship relatively small homogeneous To insure tenure chief could things behalf peopleincluding conquest neighboring tribes would continue support their chief When traditional system overlaid parliamentary system likely elected representatives trying outdo other according values The politicians passionately loyal their constituencies unusual difficulty reaching consensus Differences great attempts forming national parties failed Theresultmaybethat astrongcentralized govern possible Solomons Ironic though itmaysound thefailureofastrongcentral government develop would certainly present government Some polarization begun surface Legislative Assembly which election brought together They divided camps government Chief Minister Kenilorea eight selected cabinet ministers opposition backbenchers subgroup which isnowcallingitselftheCoalitionOpposition Group COG The issue revision draft constitution which rejected first eeting ofthe Legislative Assembly HeadingtheCOG SolomonMamaloni Chief Minister No economics graduate ofthe University ofPapuaNew Guinea Damned called communist expatriate businessman Bartholomew Ulufa began discover political talent while leading demonstrations student organization which president Shortly after return manmade Langalanga Islands Malaita which known produce their share scrappy aggressive menUlufa found himself reforming developing general trades union members count which president until election office election Bartholomea Ulufa Solomon Islands thing different What COG wants fundamentally which government wants indigenization meaning Solomonization exclusion resident Fijian Gilbertese Chinese popula tions decentrali zation equal distribution colonization environmental preservation independence TheCOGisnotagitatingforimme diate independence though Mamaloni government scheduled because country simply prepared shock sudden severance particularly economic severance Britain Indigenization Ulufa means development Solomon Islands along indige opposed imported models What Ulufa critics disparage cases contained COG platform rather secret demands return native lands possible nationalizationoftheforeigncommercial interests Britains Australians Manyof Chinese census virtual monopoly retail business community haverecentlylefttheSolomons ofimmi independence While there comparableexitofEuropeans saythat tcouldhappen ifthingsget Whether COG rally Legislative Assembly ideals nationalization return native lands remains It depends somewhat Ulufa leadership abili already question management trades union during tenure It depends large measure rules Legislative Assembly In addition internal political divisions which beginning stronger Solomon Islands standard Pacific problems population urbanization unemployment school leavers problem alienated youth lesser degree South Pacific neigh Efforts limit population growth already under through Planned Parenthood Association headed Melanesian Honiara urban center population growth thanks fairly strong ernment policies under control Since salaried employment percent rural Solomons never higher there unemployment unless looks Honiara insists counting unsalaried ablebodied males And since fraction Solomon Islands youth finished senior secondary school tinued through university degrees swarms school graduates dropouts roaming streets example SuvaorTruk inMicronesia The Solomon Islanders these inherent problems controlled through manage authority directly grass roots through direct participation Hence strong emphasis decentralization which hoped government development operations village level A faith being placed successful functioning Local Government Councils swing Perhapsthere istoomuch faith The goals Solomon Islanders themsel modest They remain largely rural agricultural country gradual development their resources fronts slightly improved standard living enjoyed generally equitable basis The leaders realize however these modest goals fraught peril A sudden bauxite mining Rennell could create balance Large infusions foreign investment would almost guarantee concentration bureaucratic commercial structures Honiara mention inevitable increase expatriate population Awareness these threats But whether translate caution gradual ordered progress remains Civil servants express politicians sucked stream their desire maintain status Itmaybe Solomon Island leadership really something different They among youngest Pacific average Legisl ative Assembly members majority their roots still firmly planted The young university graduate representatives LegislativeAssemblyimbibedtheir political philos ophies University Papua New Guinea andtheUniversityoftheSouthPacific neither ofwhich isknownfor itsconservatism Insum material there The people strong pendent industrious their expectations moment modest The leadership though number succumb factionalism It remembered though Solomons starter development during periods It destined catch Pacific If catch indeed something different PapuaNewGuinea Of island communities South Pacific stamp frontier colonialism apparent Papua New Guinea PNG newest Sep tember ofthe independent nations region This colonial image which country consciously trying change manifested number ubiquitous Coca Cola Burns Philp outlets every sprawling central ernment buildings surrounding expressways Waigani Port Moresby American designed copper Arawa Bougainville distant apathetic looks Blacks Red skins lighter skinned Papuans other coastal dwellers barefoot through streets growing urban areas country Overshadowing these symptoms colony hordes oflingering mastas mostly Queensland Australia stillmaintaincontroloverthemajor economic lines country signs oflooking ticket Indeed there pressing reason patriatepopulation ofPNGshouldbe planning exodus spite genuine efforts regarding localization govern private sector The among PNGs million nationals small number prepared training experience largest richest complex country entire South Pacific country which observers beginning shift second The lingering colonial pervades PNG oppressive compared other former colonies Pacific The fever paranoia endlessly tales theft assault voyeurism directed against Caucasians Stark adorn windows doors every European dwelling business Port Moresby watchdogs nearly outnumber children Even government sponsored adver tisements security devices services uncommon Whether paranoia should related colonialism speculative suspicion markedly unidirectional looks connection Mor likely related nomic between haves mostly whites ofthe country The oppressive nature colonial period PNG documented castigated Australianwriters oneofwhomcharacterized neurotically paternalistic colonialism Edward P Wolfers Race Relations Colonial Rule Papua New Guinea Sanctions against natives restrictive those against Australian aboriginals enforced Australian kiaps judges draconian thoroughness Perhaps fairly recent rience under colonial regime Territories ofPapuaandNewGuinea served create uneasy postcolonial atmosphere persists today Or perhaps inherent nature largest complex emerging Pacific Island nations Miniskirts Afros Rabaul PNG When compared other Pacific Island communities PNG giant The square miles nearly times larger Solomon Islands which ranks second among Pacific Island groups lation estimated million Indeed looking country where Markham Valley lofty Western Highlands becomes difficult think PNG another Pacific island The scale nearly everything except numerous offshore islands continental Combined relatively enormous country incredible diversity topog raphy people cultures Speakers ofmorethan distinctly different languages belonging separate language families inhabit offshore islands coastal plains alluvial valleys precipi mountain areas which reach heights nearly For citizens country concept sociopolitical extend beyond immediate which still indulge lethal warfare tradi tional weapons against neighboring clans For these people concept nation Papua New Guinea about meaningful Inter national Monetary Fund Lying within energy people according experts potential become richest South Pacific munities perhaps richest Third World The mineral resourcescopper silverare believed there indications reserves beneath floor Gulf Papua The potential unspoken reasons current disagreement Australia inter national boundary Torres Straits rating PNG northern Queensland Timber various agricultural products already producing profit await expansion Who carry expansion beneficiaries natural resources crucial develop PNG decidedly political matter facets And quite possibly because these potential riches colonial PNG continues linger longer other Pacific Islands Another widely acknowledged reason lingering colonial atmosphere Australia failure foster developments government independence until quite recently Most critics PNG granted independence early Australia waited before starting prepara tions independence depending critic Farmers betel crops bananas market PNG White length stockings badge Australian expatri still living country Photo courtesy George Chaplin particular Either thing PNG needs getting explores itssecondyearofindependence The coming primarily pledge A million years starting independence usual foreign nfrastructuretohelpspend Allofthestrings there snugly place Such amount moneyfromAustralia considerable requires approval thousands conservative Queens landers large numbers found almostanypart ofPNG Perhaps amount serves compensate Melanesians things minds contrite Queenslanders One ofthemostconspicuous areas ofneglectby respective colonial governments PNG cation During German New Guinea northernhalfofthemain island plusNew Britain New Ireland Bougainville smaller islands coast ofNew Guinea during Australian period Papua New Guinea Papua since New Guinea since education completely hands missions which received their local merchants plantation owners other entrepreneurs In these mission schools ofwhich primary Pupils Bible stories bolic significance which failed understand picked little Pidgin perhaps taught write their names Roman letters When Australian government education business seriously 1960s there werebutahandfulofPapuaNewGuineanswith secondary school education The first Papuan university graduate degree Australian university University Papua New Guinea Ordinance passed which established University Papua New Guinea UPNG institution which students schools medicine aNewGuinean asViceChancellorwitha Papuan deputy preponderantly Australianteachingstaff In addition totheUPNG Port Moresby there Technical University Lae which offers degrees fields gineering architecture staffed largely Australians Administrative College train Public Service cadre Forty seven percent primary school popula stillhavenoaccesstoschoolsofanykind This start education Australian government resulted severe shortage qualified nationals carry localization process specified agree relating independence foreign Hence positions requiring sophisticated levels training experience still filled expatriates mostly Australian significant numbersofskilledtradesmenfromthe Philippines Localization conscious policy under PNG effects barely noticeable government sectors business munity Political education fared better PNG again problem almost being After Papua New Guinea placed under International Trusteeship system Legislative Council established system local government Apparently atmosphere political appren ticeship according Hank Nelson Neither their council members action their criticism effect government policy After expansion Legislative Council replaced Hous Assembly abodyof54memberswho elected classic Western democratic fashion which hopelessly inappropriate widely hetero genous PNG setting where single voting district might include different language groups Also therulesoftheelectionguaranteed least nonindigenous Australian residents House Assembly number which administration confident would retain control Although19ofthemembersofthe firstHouse Assembly formal education indigenes education beyond Grade VI political leaders began emerge notably Sir John Guise current Deputy Chief Minister laterMichaelSomare ChiefMiniste since selected government coalition headed Somare Pangu Papua New Guinea Union Pati Political parties although introduced through Australian model developing PNG alien nature mostly extreme isolation pendence electorate The Melanesian principle opposed party affiliation determinestoagreatextentwho iselected repre sentative particular district Nevertheless party politics emerging prominent individuals government become identified political parties beginning exert force Chief Minister Somare Pangu Pati while Sir Tel Abal leader opposition United Party Falling somewhere between these extremes People Progress Party New Guinea National Party Mataungan Associa Country Party It adroitly formed coalition Pangu National Peopl Progress Parties number pendents brought Somare traditional title native East Sepik district position Chief Minister position still manages consid erable though universal support The major difference between Mr Somare Pangu Pati opposition Mr Somare power while detractorsSir Tei Abal Josephine Abaijan woman Papuan House John Kaputin Rabaul There alsoageneralfeelingamonghis critics Mr Somare playing development closely Australian rules which developmenttotheneglectofthe lesswell endowed areas Highlands desolate parts Papua Mr Somare criticized those Provincial Government Movement tendency follow Australian model strong centralized government country where concept unity seldo extended beyond limits ofthe Nevertheless Chief Minister praised virtually everyone intelligence political adroitness He acknowledged master promise through consensus following traditional Melanesian lines first major being successfulthus agreement worked angry secessionist minded leaders Bougainville District Province North Solomons In situation which erupted violence threatened become worse Somare effect compromise which granted separate provincial status Bougainville creating prototype other provincial governments present preserving unity credibly fragmented country But despite successes during first years Mr Somarefailed earlyDecember bring early election which successful could strengthened leadership stifling mounting criticism opposi While continued leadership after larly scheduled elections June probable apparent continue under vocal sition The challenges Somare faces posed powerful economic forces whose presence likely create suspicion aboutthe integrityofhisleadership Theamountof Australian aloneA million annually guaranteed until which percent government operating pensesis major force reckon DMT attempting establish independent country The large expatriate government force which received A million salaries alone another problem which surfaces another almost daily Expatriate enterprises PNG multinational multimillion dollar scale large expatriate forces represents still another Although government policy ultimately eliminate foreign hegemony economic people wonder The amount ofmoneyfrom bilateral foreign investment which currently supporting highly affluent alien population small growing national elite doubt Mr Somare politics direction country going follow While government talks strongly reliance localization salaried positions repatriation lands percent arable lands still Texas plantations expatriates meaningful steps direction except massive ranks Public Civil Service where salaries consumed A million total government expenditure A million Even Public Service positions Director Overseas Recruit secretarial Aus tralians served PNG assistants clerks Aside general problems posed massive foreign investment Somare government faces threat internal fragmentation among PNGs thousand tribes Osmar Whites To rural tribesmen percent population concept ofindependence means freedom feared often hated Austra patrol officers license return ditionalways someofwhichwere neverchallenged until 1950s first European contacts Only sophisticated minority share concept strength through unity nationhood Maintaining loosest unity incomparable diversity cultures languages would order government In addition basic cultural diversity there conspicuous inequality distribution natural resources population factor causing large labor migrations consequent social problems T endowed small farmers Gazelle Peninsula New Britain resent Highlanders immigrated their overpopulated lands search better Similarly Papuans ofPort Moresby aggressive Chimbus continue drift sprawling nearly tensions between Chimbus Highlanders released urban brawls outright tribal warfare The traditional suspicions enmity compounded facts ofacash orientedeconomy which isenoughtoput enormous strain national unity unless meaningfulmethod formoreequaldistributioncan devised At moment nothing looks promising The prominent example inequitable tribution resources which already serious challenge Somare government attempt nationhood mineral deposits especially those Bougainville first mined PNG signif icant quantity multinational Bougainville Copper Ltd BCL Bougainville Copper Ltd which produces substantialamountsofgoldandsilver isbigbyany standards largest copper mines world Employing quarter expatriates Australia New Zealand United States Philippines BCL highly profitable operation having amortized investment during first three years production before copper market drastic nosedive The trucks manufactured maintained American firms Euclid manufacture Morgan Equipment supply maintenance remains majestic tains Panguna miles Kieta rapid there areno signswhatsoeverofrunning ofpaydirt forseeable future To BCL created problems understatement Problems alienation social disruption migrations sudden appeared early intensified Hun dreds ofChimbus Highlanders other hopeful migrants fillthesidewalksofArawa theAmerican designed complete community miles Kieta which become govern commercial activities Bougainville Feeding fried flour balls Coca Cola these jobless migrants present immediate serious problem Provincial Governrfient which making noises about restricting travel Bougainvillefrom otherparts ofthecountry onlymeans ofcopingwith thegrowing population Such would hardly serve interests united PNG which Somare government strong encouragement Canberra The question ofdistribution ofthe revenues presents larger problem Under terms renegotiated agreement central government continues percent interest begun impose super percent profits above certain claimed Peter Hastings No provisions worked concerningwhat revenues would directly Province North Solo official Bougainville where citizens proprietary attitude toward theirminerals Bougainville resentment central govern mentinPortMoresbybeganevenbeforethe effects oftheBCLbegantosurface Startingasfarback group calling themselves Napidakoe Navitu began agitating autonomy later secession There general feeling among group Bougainvilleans closer ethnic tural relationship their black skinned brothers Solomon Islands Papuans New Guineans Also since Bougainville Island richer agricultural potential mention minerals being politically bound affluent relatively overpopulated PNG could drain Bougainville resources Also therewasresentmentovertheyears ofhav ingbeen shortchanged central government allocations which seemingly corresponded Bougainville being remote province All ofthese feelings nodoubt develop mentofBCLled serious secessionistmovements under leadership Fr John Momis became widely known circles feared spokesman Bougainvillean rights andanoutspokencriticofthemine itseffects foreign owned mining company The secession culminated dramatic decla ration Bougainville independent North Solomons Republic before PNG independence September Fr Momis appeal theUNCommittee of24on Decolonization These actions followed suspension provincial government Public Order government forbidding political assembly towns Bougainville posting country squads Bougainville which proved helpful quelling numerous confronta tions This desperate situation danger losing A million annually revenues fromBCL placedheavydemandson themediating skills Chief Minister Somare If Bougainville secession successful would New Britain Marius Gulf other provinces following Any fragmentation through seces avoided costs strongly disapproved Australian government What could resulted violence bloodshed predicted Pacific Biafra resolved being least promise which probably pattern centralizing government control throughout country The compromise central ernment allow orderly estab lishment provincial governments first which newly established November Province ofNorth Solomons Some rather important details arrangement remain vague The Province impose retail sales except special cases mining lands additional taxes entertainment gambling liquor licensesall subject overrule National Parliament However source revenue provincial governments uncondi tional grants national government These grants allocated according formula worked fiscal commission So despite Province ofNorthSolomonshas itsownPremierDr Alexis Sarei priest degree canon letterhead transition Bougain ville District province complete Whether shift provincial governments bring unity diverse country remains Fr John Momis figure early moves toward Bougainvillean secession showed displeasure attending Pro vincial Premier inauguration which sufficiently impor reported twice country leading newspaper Fr Momis along other nationalists Josephine Abaijan John Kaputin feels shift provincial government address problem foreign engineered development which having disastrous effects indigenous people cultures Fr Momis favors develop which follows indigenous patterns promoted indigenous people which would require nationalization obtrusive industries BCL Such strikes hearts Mr Somare foreign investors which explain rapidity which Bougainville compromise arranged With annual growth percent PNG suffering overpop ulation Chimbu District density excess inhabitants square Redis tribution people heavily populated populated areas affluent populated areas would certainly resent intruders already quite strongly North Solomons Gazelle Peninsula Urban drift reached crisis proportions ticularly Port Moresby where there enacting vagrancy counter problem jobless migrants gravitate growing squatters slums Port Moresby reputation crime ridden entire South Pacific Alcoholism malnutrition common PNGhaving highest Kwashiorkor Pacific condition cannot attributed ability produce nutritious probably directly related emphasis rural areas crops cocoa coffee copra proceeds which alcohol mostly Coca Cola imported foods Government efforts discourage alcohol sumption ludicrous paternalistic For example single bottles cannot Lae bottle stores between P M althoughonecanpurchaseasmanycasesofbeer afford The logic explained prietress prevent locals spending their lunch money assuming could afford Government advertising paigns Be smart Don drink whatever Antidrinking commercials shown movie theaters followed immediately slick San Miguel The apparent contradiction approach alcohol nutrition problems reflected various other discrepancies between ernment proclaims A government booklet issued October titled National Development Strategy government white paper reviews basic problems which nation faces describes government strategy coping It talks example about importance promoting labor intensive techniques encourage aried employment Yet partly government owned BCL highly mechanized mines Montana Western Australia Similarly talks about decentralizing government operations while still expanding sprawling complex govern mentbuildingsinPortMoresby allofthemlinked mercury lighted expressways The Port Moresby itself obviously conceived extensive expansion along increased automobile traffic In similar government talks about venting drift rural villages providing incentives rural attractive But incentives never quite specified Teachers government schools posted parts country their training college versity classes about educating villagers remain content rural which would appear contradictory In short appears though govern aware problems society faces doing everything could counter This limited successes ofsomeofthestated objectives Localizationthe hiring ofPapuaNewGuineansis underway Farmers ofPNG riches coffee often planted place family gardens Photo courtesy George Chaplin government private enterprise often expressed disgust expatriates Any business large small include concrete localization before license issued there guarantee carried More producing activities rural sector established particularly rently lucrative coffee production which percent hands small individual holders opposed percent copra percent cocoa remainder being produced expatriate owned plantations The recent coffee however prove mixed blessing Because successive frost induced failures Brazil Argentina PNG coffee prices soared pumping money villages promoting expansion coffee cultivation place crops which probably contributing rising malnutrition Some experts expressing fears about overplanting single whose prices highly erratic world market though coffee bring A million topping copper export earnings PNG first The Highlands Highway encouraged coffee production providing better access markets Despite government plans presented whitp paper limited accomplishments respect decentralization localization rural development pattern development fippears following Western lines As roads built trucks being imported Development schemes fisheries timber promis copper reserve Ok Tedi remote Star Mountain require massive amounts foreign investment which assures goodlyportionoftheprofitsfrom these exploitative enterprises going foreign coffers ItwouldappearthatPNG isenteringintoanew partnership Australia partnership which small removed colonial status Not wishing going years PNG seems adopting Australian concept development attendant centralized bureaucratic structures protests opposition notwithstanding Such approach critics among thousands Queenslanders throughout PNG Mr Fraser Liberal Party Canberra Whether ofWestern styled development under PNG serve prevent NOTES Scarr DeryckA FragmentsofEmpire aHistory ofthe WestPacificHighCommission ANUPress Canberra Press Facsimileofrecor dedlandsaleinLandandPoliticsinthe NewHebrides Barak Sope South Pacific Social Sciences Association Suva Fiji N D published Osmar White Parliament Thousand Tribes Melbourne WrenPublishingCompany Housewife children Papua New Guinea The transi colony nation little effect Photo courtesy George Chaplin threatened fragmentation fulfill aspirations members thousand tribes remains It tricky South Pacific country greatest resources follow postcolonial period HankNelson PapuaNewGuinea Black UnityorBlack Chaos Victoria Penguin Books Ltd Nelson PapuaNewGuinea Peter Hastings Bougainville Solomons New Guinea Vol