Editor,

A sense of déjà vu came over me when I heard of the government's policy/decision to impose/force on the northern islands of Vava'u a one-overseas-shipping service. It reminded me of the one-airline policy the government imposed/forced on the islands in 2004/5 when it decided on a one airline policy - revoking Fly Niu's licence and handing Peau Vava'u a monopoly on the domestic aviation services.

How Peau Vava'u fared is history, as we all know. A few years down the way and the government's done it again with shipping. The Government's economics adviser should be fired for giving bad advice to the government - (leading to the Acting Prime Minister's statement) - that a negotiated (and cheaper) rate with Jaws Shipping will benefit Vava'u and the other islands.

You cannot fool people anymore, even 'grass roots' people understand that competition will determine the prices/costs of services, so why is the government interfering in the market? The farcical explanation given by the Acting Prime Minister (and Member of Parliament for Vava'u) for the one-shipping service policy is not only laughable, it is downright insulting.

Sincerely,
T. Fakatakatau Taufa
Mo'unga Talau, Neiafu.
moungatalau [at] yahoo [dot] com