IN THE PACIFIC

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1926, Page 3

IN THE PACIFIC

“ The South Seas of To-day,” by Major A. J. A. Douglas, and Mr P. H. Johnson, is an account of a scientific expedition to the Pacific undertaken in 1921. The authors remark that of the many books written about the South Seas very few 4iave been innocent of exaggeration ; and few, if any, give a true picture of conditions as they are now. But Major Douglas and Mr Johnson confess to a certain disappointment. Many cherished illusions were shattered. The old island life has gone for ever. Old customs have fallen into abeyance. The natives live in villages which, if more hygienic than their former habitats, are less pleasing to the eye. Motor-cars and picture shows are the commonplaces of existence. The South Seas have been "disfavored ” by the tourist, and have lost much of their charm.

The party went to the Pacific by way of the Panama. Canal, in the neighbourhood of which they conducted biological investigations. Incidentally there is a discussion on the origin of voice, which we learn was developed by tho ancestor of the frog for the purpose of a love call. A visit was paid to the Galapagos Islands, where treasure of fabulous value is reputed to b? buried. At the Marquees they heard much of tho depopulation problem, 'flic pure-blooded Alarquesnns, physically one of the finest races on the globe, have almost gone. A new race is springing up. in which the Polynesian stock is reinforced hv an Eurononii or Chinese jul mixture*.

In Tahiti the Chinese element is particularly strong. They form a very large proportion of the population, and run nearly all the small shops and some of the hanks. “Chinese influence is slowly hut surely extending throughout French Oceania. Tn almost every island and atoll the local store is kept by them, and, owing to their acting as money-lenders or giving goods on credit, very many of the natives are in their hands.” The Polynesian is indolent and pleasure loving; the Chinamain is frugal.mid industrious, and in commercial life completely' dominates the indigenous race. “So far lias the process gone that if every Chinaman left Tahiti to-morrow the natives would he threatened with starvation, for every little bakery and village shop is in Chinese hands.” Although there is little love lost between them and the natives the Chinese intermarry freely with the latter, and “ if things continue at their present rate, the future of these islands will inevitably he in their hands.” On the return journeysome time was spent at Easter Island, and though much is said about the mvsterious'.statues with which the island is studded, there is no attempt to solve the riddle they present. The vovace was made in a barquentine. with an auxiliary engine, and, m nnvi(ratiim the reef-strewn waters of t! islands the party had some exciting experiences, the story of Which enhances the interest of a very readable book.