17.08.2013
Hello hello!
I hope this finds you well on this fine
Saturday.
Other than making mere dents in my
endless work pile, two other events have happened since last writing, which have
triggered my discussion topic for today.
The first event occurred today. Following
my quarterly haircut, I decided to take a pleasant stroll to the wharf. There
was nowhere to plonk myself down thanks to all the betelnut spit everywhere, so
standing it was. Despite this, my motive of escapism was still achieved. I watched
the crews of rusting, old, Chinese ships unloading their cargo and the huge
tanker embarking on its next destination carrying precious Solomon Island
exports probably to China or Australia. I also noticed one woman standing alone
by one of the ships, looking restless. I proceeded to romanticise her future –
she was a newlywed named Elizabeth whose husband, Samuel, is a seafarer that
reluctantly left his wife for 3 months of duty not long after the wedding.
Elizabeth was anxiously awaiting Sam’s arrival and despite the ship already
being 1 hour late, she focussed on the moments of their forthcoming reunion. First
comes the sighting of her beautiful man from afar, unchanged except for being
equipped with an aching heart and a longing to see his love. Then the embrace,
arms wrapped around one another as they seek the reassurance of the physical to
confirm the wonderful occasion. Finally, the kiss, symbolic of the entirety of
Sam’s love for Elizabeth, is short and simple, and placed cleanly on her left
cheek (it’s Melanesian culture, not Mills and Boon). I hope that they’re happy.
It was at this point at two ladies
accosted me. It didn’t take long to realise that they were Jehovah Witnesses carrying
a range of moral literature on their teachings. I politely communicated my
disinterest by explaining that I attend Holy Cross Catholic Church. But just as
we bid our farewells, one of their publications caught my eye. The cover of one
of their magazine issues was titled ‘Are we buying too much?’ I quickly
requested a copy to which the ladies were more than willing to provide.
The magazine sparked a few thoughts about
consumerism, the search to fulfil our material desires, and the choices that we
have available to us. It got me thinking…how much choice is too much choice?
And equally important, should choice be limited in its supply to individuals or
should that freedom be made by the individual?
The second event that occurred during a
conversation I observed between a Solomon Islander and an ex-pat working for
one of the donor agencies here. The discussion was around the hotly debated
topic of land reform. In summary, the ex-pat suggested that Solomon Islands
needs to create a business-friendly environment in which enforcement and
respect for land rights will support and grow the economy. The Solomon Islander
raised the role of spiritual and cultural ties to the land among the tribes.
The deep-rooted relationships that Solomon Islanders have to land ownership and
the value of land is one of the delicate discussions that continues to inform
the debate. Landowners, to a degree, have significant bargaining power here. The
Solomon Islander also explained that one of the consequences of allowing the
logging and mining companies to operate on their lands has been the way in
which royalties have affected the life of the tribes, namely what to do with
money. Access to this money has led to many issues around alcoholism, increased
tobacco consumption, and the related issues concerning these. From landowners I
have spoken to, much of the money is spent on consumption in the present. Don’t
get me wrong, I’m sure some of this money is also being put to good use but
it’s interesting to think that there was a life that functioned before the
introduction of money.
In the Sols, choice is always limited; in
the clothes we wear, in the food we buy, and in the services we use. But is
this necessarily a bad thing? Constrained to second hand clothing, restricted
to home-grown produce at the market, provision of utilities by a single,
nationalised SOE. No taboos in using second hand clothes, maintaining the links
between food and the seasons, giving nationalisation of services another
chance…maybe there is something that we in developed countries have forgotten
in our worlds of abundance and variety – let us not forget to be grateful for
what we have and perhaps let us think about whether we really need it or is
there another way? Can we borrow through sharing, can we recycle, can we use
what we have…
And the ownership of land…I’m not
necessarily saying that land reform is not without merit but I also think that
we need to question who benefits from the ability of buying and selling the
resource. If this reform is for the benefit of the people of Solomon Islands,
do they are really need to change the rules of land ownership? What is really
wrong with the current system other than the inability to trade land? I’m not
sure that the benefits to the tribe, often non-monetised, are really greater
than the monetised benefits gained from the reform for commercial and business
uses. Maybe some of systems, processes, and institutions in less developed
nations work quite effectively, just that it doesn’t fit into the frameworks
designed and prescribed by developed countries. And for what? Faster economic
growth that is generated by multinationals and franchises? Maybe slower economic
growth benefitting the people of the country would be better. Ed Balls,
together with Larry Summers in the US, is currently developing looking at
growth policies targeted at helpin g low-income families...check it out…http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/jul/21/ed-balls-larry-summers-economic-growth
I know this entry is a little different
from the others but I hope it’s still interesting. As my time in Solomons lapses,
I have started to think about all the things that I have learnt about the
country and about myself. This is definitely one of the things that will always
stay with me.
Well, wishing you a great day all and
looking forward to hearing your news soon.
Much love.
Kennton xx
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