"Mad Pranks "

Gilbertese In A Newspaper Battle

TO show how the natives of the Gilbert Islands are acquiring education, and how their minds work, ice published in the April number, exactly as it ivas written, a letter we had received from a Gilbertese, G. I. Kiribati, of Peru. Mr.

Kiribati discussed the questionable bene fits of Western civilisation. Another Gil bertese, Mr. T. Temete, does not agree with the opinions of Mr. Kiribati; and we publish the former’s letter, exactly as it was received.

I WOULD like to correct an item, “The Mind of the Gilbertese,” which ap pears on the P.I.M. of April, 1937, by G. I. Kiribati, of Beru.

The real mind and habit of the Gil bertese are of their fishing ground, culti vation, toddy, and other useful odd work for their homes. They are loyal to their family and race; worry nothing about to-morrow or the next day.

The Government have done great work amongst our race. They put up hospitals throughout the group, and treated the patients kindly, without cost or charge.

The Government erected boarding schools 17 years ago, and educated boys from various islands, and a number of them were transferred to the Central Medical School in Suva, to study medi cal courses for the benefit of the Gilbertese. A few of them returned and have done excellent work for their race.

I should point out to the readers of the P.I.M. that Teng G. I. Kiribati for warded one of his mad pranks to be published. We Gilbertese are not ill treated by the Government officials. Teng G. I. Kiribati could not realise that these officers suffer a lot in these islands. The soil is poor and vegetables cannot grow, except the coconut trees, and babai (Arum Cor difolium) , which a European could not use for his meals. The result to them, by living on these, will give them indigestion. These officers have done great and valuable work amongst us, and are keen and interested in our race, and eager to help the Gilbertese.

It is quite certain that the people were made to work: making roads, building sea walls, cleaning the villages, etc. For whose use? For whose cleanliness? If our people did not do those works, we younger generation will face them.

I am willing in future to correct more of these pranks if they happen to appear in the P.I.M.

I am, etc.,

T. Temete.

Ocean Island, 24/6/37.

Mr. Robert Jones, who is in charge of the building of the new cathedral for the New Guinea Mission at Dogura, Papua, returned to the territory after furlough in Australia by the Montoro in June.