Better Standard Of
p. 62 · Read in the full issue
Living
Advance of Gilbert and Ellice Natives
AN appreciable advance by the Gilbert and Ellice Islanders in their standard of living has been noted and recorded in the Colony’s Annual Report on Education for 1935 by Mr. F. G. L. Holland (Superin tendent of Education).
“Contrasting the conditions of 16 years ago with those of to-day, the improved attitude of parents and others towards hygiene, care of the home, and infant wel fare cannot but be viewed with satisfac tion,” he wrote. “Almost everywhere more general cleanliness, a higher stan dard of food preparation, and better atten tion to children can be observed.
“There is room, of course, for great im provement still,” he continued. “But native development during nearly two decades, although disturbed by the economic depres sion, has been considerable, and the social future of the Colony seems promising if the full educational work of administrator, doctor, missionary, and teacher can be maintained.”
Increase In Population
Statistical information appended to the Education Report shows that there has been a satisfactory increase in the popula tion of the Group, and that in 1935 there were 33,713 people in the Colony. Com pared with 1934, the figures are: Gilbertese, 29,291 (28,654); Ellice Islanders, 4,154 (4,042); Europeans, 244 (254); Chinese (exclusive of indentured labourers), 24 (41).