Stephen Pokawin reflects on the regional politics between self government and independence, especially in relation to New Britain and Bougainville. He discusses the splits in the country by party and region.
Stephen Pokawin discusses his schooling on Manus Island, beginning at a mission school run by Americans, later attending Manus High School in 1966, and his selection as part of a group of six to attend University of Papua New Guinea in 1970 and his uncertainities around Port Moresby.
Matilda Pilacapio gives her impression of Port Moresby in 1971, saying she was shocked by the number of houses and thought perhaps the houses would be taken away when the white people left or that they would be given to black people at independence. She relates that she had access in Port Moresby to several exclusively white clubs.
Biga Lebasi states that he welcomed the suggestion that Papua New Guinea become one nation separate from Australia. He recalls that blacks and whites lived together well on Kwato Island but that when he came to Port Moresby to attend Sogeri High School he encountered racism, describing an event when he was refused service at the Steamships supermarket. He states that he became bitter and thought independence might be an answer to this racism and he looked to the USA and South African experience.
Ted Diro describes his early years in Port Moresby, assisted by relatives who helped him pay for his fare of 16 shillings. He describes the process whereby he was accepted into schools in Port Moresby in the Kila Kila area through his association with the head teacher. He describes studying by kerosene light at night and caddying at the government golf club during the day to earn 1 shilling to feed himself and where he met other patrons who supported him.
