Jayb,

But did they actually receive the AID ‘handout’ in the first place?
If not, then what else should they be doing except sitting as you describe it?

As for the headman getting monedy, that’s a laugh.
Recently I stated correct antibiotics were not available at a hospital for a patient whose condition was getting worse. That patient was a village headman. He is an SDA non-drinker and non-smoker, a really decent person too. Yet he cannot afford vital medicine even for himself.

Yes conversations like this can be frustrating.

Keep your chin up Jayb. Never give up. I think always help if you can and see fit to do so.

Hasbeen,

Things have changed significantly in the Solomon Islands at least in the past 15-20 years, enough change involving chronic hardship even causing a coup.

Towing timber is now out of the question due to drag in the water and massive cost of fuel to tow the load, better if loaded inside canoes. Outriggers are not used in SI.

Bigger villages and population areas now lack enough bush timber and sago palm leaf for roofs and what there is now more often costs money. What there is left in the bush is usually now too far way and too costly to transport without cash for petrol, or being too far away often involves other landowners.

There is less trade because there is less fish to trade with as was the custom/tradition.

I wish I was there at the time to meet and talk with those old timers you refer to. As for ,local elders, one very elderly SI shark worship priest I became friendly with in 1973, told me the calf muscle of the human leg was the best part to eat. His name was Moses. SI people alive today from Laulasi know of him. Laulasi is a 500 year old man made island.
In 1973 most kids had their own small canoe but not now due lack of and cost of logs from far away.

P.S. I has delay posting due reaching my limit.

Never had any input from Tim Costello on this article. I think that if he writes an article her is obliged to give some input to argument. Otherwise he is just like all the other over paid Government parasites.

I see Mr Costello is up in the Philippines amongst the Haiyan rubble but not dirty.
At least Mr Abbott would at least pretend to be driving a rescue truck.
Abbott and Costello, again.

I think it's best to give cash donations to the cashless poor affected people instead of cronies supplying manufactured goods with sales commission, kickbacks etc.

Aid agencies should deliver real aid.
A system should be organized to deliver cash to the people via responsible banks using fingerprint and facial indentification to prevent fraud. Donor could make direct deposits. Why not?

Meanwhile Mr Costello is busy.
http://worldvision.com.au/Issues/Emergencies/Current_Emergencies/Typhoon-Haiyan-Philippines.aspx?source=ASIA_APPEALFY13_SEM_SEM

JF: I see Mr Costello is up in the Philippines amongst the Haiyan rubble.

Flown up 1st. class, staying in a 5 Star Hotel, Expense Account, Bribes & Tips, courtesy of your donations, just for the "photo opportunity."

I've just done a calculation based on current Airfares, Hotel Rooms & Allowance Rates. It comes to, in round figures, $A20000. That's just for Tim, then there is his staff, etc. Best guess, multiply by 5. $A100000 of your hard earn donated money that these people won't get.

Just think how many people that money would have supported through this disaster.

Thanks Tim, I can see another Australia Day Award coming. Keep up the good work.

I hope he learns something from this discussion.