Tahiti And “Moon-Eyed Scribblers.”

Another Indignant Resident Wants Protection.

Written for “The Pacific Islands Monthly ” by Edgar Leeteg, of Papeete, Tahiti.

Notwithstanding the flood of books written about Tahiti, what this Island needs is a conscientious writer who will give the reading public a veracious book on Tahiti.

Mr. Frisbee’s article in “The Pacific Islands Monthly” gave a good insight into a condition brought about by sen sational writers. Such trashy litera ture has spelled disillusionment for thousands who come here expecting to find the Tahiti they read about.

Let me stress this fact: Tahiti is not disillusioning—excepting when some moon-eyed scribbler has made it so.

I —and countless others —find in Tahiti a paradise of tropical beauty, an interesting native-life, and a world beater climate; all of which far sur passes what we had previsioned.

I am incapable of writing up Tahiti as it should be written; yet the Tommy rot now in print prompts me to dispel the more ridiculous impressions in stilled by our writers.

This poppycock about living here on 10 dollars per month and 90 cents per week is the most vicious lie cf all. Yes, it could be done, but one could not live as a white man on such rations and lodging as can be had in these Islands for 10 dollars.

To maintain a “white” standard of living costs nearly the same as in the States (at present). The slight differ ence can be attributed to lower rents (with less conveniences) and a dearth of things on which to spend money.

It should not be inferred that Tahiti lacks sports and amusements. Besides the social life of the clubs, there is an unique talking cinema, soccer games, boxing matches, horse-racing, aquatic sports, and—not to be omitted —the popular pastime of mosquito-slapping.

One cannot exist for long by stroll ing about the Island deedling on a music-box while living off native hos pitality. Loring Andrews has since learned this to be too true.

Tahiti must of necessity be disap pointing to one class of visitors the jobseekers. What few positions Pa peete affords, are adequately filled by French-speaking persons. However, Tahiti invites outside capital and offers encouragement to those who “bring their opportunity” with them.

Right here I wish to rectify the mali cious falsehood that the French in Tahiti are hostile to foreigners who start a business in Tahiti. On the contrary, this foreigner has met friendliness and helpfulness since fol lowing his profession in Papeete.

Tahiti maintains a tourist bureau for the purpose of aiding tourists and mak ing them feel welcome. French offi cials are not the pompous bugaboos de picted as waiting to lay heavy hands on the fun-loving tourist. French officialdom is wisely tolerant of the in sane antics of the average American tourist.

All tourists who remain here do not “go native’’ or degenerate. Tahiti is the permanent residence of some hun dreds of respectable British and American subjects with large or lim ited incomes, who have found here the

right atmosphere for their work or their play.

As for the moral and social pitfalls (so luridly pictured by our writers), these can be avoided if the white man will remember that he is a white man.

What undesirables we have are taken care of by the Immigration authori ties. (Writers, please note!) The one truthful portion of Loring Andrew’s book is its title “Isles of Eden.” We have found this to be so; that other visitors may not agree with this statement can be accounted for by the fact that everyone must see Tahiti through a different pair of eyes. What the eyes see depends on what their owner is searching for. To get an im partial, authentic view of the Island (from the individual’s viewpoint) you must come and make the discovery for yourself. Regardless of whether you remain to worship or return home, your Tahiti venture will prove a profitable investment in experience and enjoy ment.

If your purse be slender, you are no less welcome. Limited funds merely means that you must reluctantly shorten your stay.

So, old misinformed world, come and learn Tahiti for yourself. And may there be one among the throng who can and will write a truthful book about Tahiti. For such a person we will keep Diogenes’ Lantern burning on Point Venus.

Edgar Leeteg,

Papeete, Tahiti.