KEY POINTS:
Cool heads wanted concerning right-hand-drive Issue
It has been one week since the Government announced its plans to switch to right-hand-drive. Heated debate followed the proposals immediately.
The Samoan Chamber of Commerce has urged concerned members of the business community to keep 'cool heads' over the Government plans to switch to right-hand-drives. At a recent open forum, many in the business community, particularly the car selling outlets, were concerned about lost revenue and were calling for public demonstrations against the Governments moves towards RHD.
Chamber of Commerce President Klaus Junior warned that charged emotions were counter productive and the issue needed to be approached in a "constructive and professional manner". According to the COC President "the views were put into resolutions for the Chamber to prepare for proper presentation to Government".
The Chamber of Commerce is now focused on assembling the pertinent information to improve their stance on the road switch issue. They will present their arguments to a Government steering committee studying the proposal.
Local car dealerships are particularly aggrieved, many complaining that potential buyers have dropped out of deals due to the switch. Cars that now sit in lots and others that are en-route have now lost 'value' and may potentially be sold below cost. In addition, monthly interest will continue to pile up on credit arrangements with local banks.
The full extent of the economic impact on these industrial sectors is not known, but the Chamber of Commerce President made note of the more immediate ramifications and his resolve to inform Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry, Misa Telefoni, about their concerns.
The Chamber of Commerce President questioned whether there would be any real cost-advantage of buying cars from Australasia (a key argument of Government) as they are not car-manufacturing countries such as Japan and China.
Another issue he raised was whether excessive burden was being placed on Samoan families overseas who would be (it is expected) purchasing cars for local family members. He called for a full cost benefit analysis before any decisions were made to switch to right hand drives.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has indicated that new legislations will be tabled in the next session of Parliament to allow for the new policy to come into law.
Tourism News - Keep Kiwis and Aussies at 50 per cent
A diversification in Samoa's tourist arrivals is necessary according to the regional organisation acting as a tourist destination watchdog for the South Pacific region. Tourists from Australasia should be kept to 50 per cent of the targeted intake.
The need for diversity was due to the risk involved in "putting all dollars in one basket". The New Zealand dollar's recent drop and Australia's strong domestic tourism market and links to Asian destinations were highlighted.
A 50/50 split between Northern and Southern hemisphere travelers was touted as the ideal ratio split for visitors.
In the region, Samoa has the fastest tourism growth at 14 per cent, with Vanuatu and PNG at 10 per cent and 12 per cent respectively. Samoa recently overtook New Caledonia in the top three regional tourist destinations, with Fiji 1st and Tahiti next. The advent of Polynesian Blue being cited as one of the mina contributors of growth. Fiji normally accounts for 50 per cent of visitors.
Tourism remains the fastest growing industry in the region growing at US$100 million a year. At current growth rates the US$2 billion mark will be met by decade's end. (1 billion US dollars in 2000).
Capital flight from industry inputs was not cited as a major concern while promotion of the region as an escape destination for Northern Hemisphere markets was advocated.
Health - Traditional Healer Offended and Fighting Back
Ms Sasa Faletoi of Vailoa village, a traditional healer, has objected to claims that traditional healing is causing unnecessary deaths and amputations. This comes after recent claims by Lemalu Dr. Limbo Fiu, the Head of the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Medical Unit.
Faletoi upholds her standards and states that her healing methods have never caused any deaths, but remarked that she could not say that of other traditional healers.
Faletoi said that Tupua Tamasese Hospital has requested her services but she is hesitant as she works for free having been encouraged by her mother never to take anything in return from her patients. "If they want to pay me or give me something as a token of their appreciation I accept it, if not then I do not ask for anything", Faletoi explained.
Faletoi is often asked by patients to personally attend to them at the hospital. And while she holds a special pass allowing her access to any area of the hospital she is wary of working there as "doctors will get the ingredients for her medicine and curing potions confused".
She explains that she uses very rare and not well known plants adding that she has even found a plant that cures cancer. Her major concern is that others might confuse her methods and ingredients and she believes her way of healing can only be passed down her family line.
Faletoi has been healing for seventeen years operating at her home in Vailoa. Her services are much sought after. Her mother practiced before her and she notes that if her daughters do not want to continue the practice then her secrets will die with her.
Miss Samoa organizers extra careful - No Miss NUS this year
The Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) is taking extra precaution in ensuring all girls for this year's Miss Samoa are entering the pageant legally. This follows last year's pageant debacle when Miss NUS, Pearl McFall, was stripped of her title after it was discovered that she did not meet the minimum age requirement.
This year's pageant is being held on October 20th, having been postponed a few weeks due to Samoa's hosting of the South Pacific Games. Pre-pageant activities have also been shortened to reign in costs.
This is the final year STA will be hosting and funding the pageant, next year seeing it tendered out to the business community according to Christina Leala of the Miss Samoa Organizing Committee. "Over the years the pageant has really set a strain on STA's resources", Leala said.
The theme of this year's pageant is 'Celebration of Women', a tribute to Samoan women. Pre-pageant activities begin on October 12th with 10 contestants having been confirmed.
A venue for the pageant has yet to be determined.
In related news, a member of the student Association of the National University of Samoa has stated that there will be no Miss NUS pageant this year.
Asked if last years Miss Samoa pageant and the stripping of Miss NUS Pearl McFall's title had anything to do with the decision to cancel, the member answered that it did not.
Apia Beat - SPG Hangover-Manu Samoa and Scientology
Out on the town: Some in the business community are complaining that the South Pacific Games did not generate as much revenue for them as they had anticipated. Many small businesses popped up to take advantage of the games and one expects that many of those will close operations soon.
The country is yet to shake the bad taste left from Manu Samoa's performance at this year's Rugby World Cup in France. A natural switch in support for the All Blacks now takes place even as others whisper that the Springboks have something special to show...
Coconut Wireless: Scientology's arrival to Samoa made the headlines and raised a few eyebrows and murmurings of 'cults' taking to the island shores. When people were asked what they thought about and/or knew about the Church of Scientology emotions were mixed but the most uniform response was recorded as - "Tom Cruise right?" One would agree that Samoan responses were consistent with global trends...
