OCEAN ISLAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1923, Page 1

OCEAN ISLAND.

| THE LABOUR, QUESTION. ' a SATI.SE\C lORY POSITION. WELLINGTON, January S. Mi- H. R. McClure, the Administrator of tlie Hilbert and Ellice Islands colony, is a I present in Wellington. He states that the natives of Ocean Island are the richest natives in the world. They receive a royalty of sixpence a ton on all the phosphate rock exported, and as there are only TOO °f them, this means a large sum to them. These natives, moreover, work in the mining and shipping of the phosphate! rod;, along with Chinese and Gilbert Islanders who are on the island. The Nauru Islanders, on the other hand, do little or no work. Mr McClure states that the conditions of the labourers who work for the phosphate commission are excellent good quarters, good food, and entertainment alike being provided for The natives and the Chinese. There is even a cinema performance ('.vice a week oil Ocean Island. The heat is never excessive, nor are the sun’s rays nearly so powerful as, for instance on the East Coast of Africa. Most of the comforts and conveniences of modern i life are available. There are splendid sewerage and fresh and salt water systems. electric light, icfngoiato-s and ice-making plants and telephones. A wireless station has been open for traffic since March 1916. and the Government yacht has a wireless plant on hoard. Christianity has taken an extraordinary hold in the Ellice Islands. A very small island, Vaitnpu. lias a church that cost £10.600 capable of seating 1000 worshippers. In every islet of the group the church is conspicuous. The groups produce copra only, though the Administrator has hopes of stimulating a- eocoanut-fibre industry. The natives particularly those of the Gilberts, take very readily to the kind of government imposed liy tlie British. Old native customs have almost disappeared, and generally with nothing but benefit to the people. The iidroduit'on of clothing however, the usual concomitant of conversion of Christianity, has reduced the resistance of the natives to disease, hy superseding the old method of wearing only a kilt of leaves, and lubricating the body with eoennnut oil. Tn many of the islands tidiness is exalted lo a place among the major virtues, and it is an offence punishable under native law by n small fine to pass by any refuse which may have spilled upon the excellent village roads.