LIFE ON PITCAIRN ISLAND
(To the Editor.)
Sir,—3ly attention has been drawn many times to a statement made in "The Post' of March 13 by Captain E. H. Wilson rejardinj: Pitcairn Island and its inhabitants. If Captain-Wilson's remarks have been reported correctly it is difficult for me to understand why he should have made them, and I trust you will provide me with a small-space in which to offer a defence of our people. '.The two separate statements that the people are reasonably happy and they are exceedingly jealous of each other* appears very much like a contradiction.
Captain Wilson is quite mistaken when he says that the land on Pitcairn is worn out, as there is still much that has never been cultivated at all. The people on the island have grown for their needs since 1789, and the soil, being of volcanic origin, is still very rich. We are dependent, to some extent, for supplies from the outside world just the same as New Zealand is, but Captain Wilson should know after living on the island for a year that the crops can only be planted in the wet season. The statement that no crops have been planted is incorrect, as I received letters by the same ship that Captain Wilson returned by saying that all. the crops have been planted after waiting five months for rain.
Our people are certainly isolated as the term is understood, but we value our friendships very highly and do not want to be isolated ' from them. I think we 'have managed our affairs as successfully I for over 140 years as most other communities have done. Our land is- free, and each person inherits an equal right to 'the soil as a matter of course. We have no' rent, no taxes, and no national debt to trouble us. Again, according to Captain Wilson, we are suffering from ignorance of world affairs, but'may "I be pardoned for suggesting "that the world might he suffering from ignorance of.our j way of doing things political.- .In cdncluIsion, I hope my observations are just, but if they are hot I think Captain Wilson should put matters right.—l am, etc.; R. CHRISTIAN.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 69, 23 March 1933, Page 10
Word Count
366LIFE ON PITCAIRN ISLAND Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 69, 23 March 1933, Page 10
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