Conservation Of
p. 46 · Read in the full issue
Old Tahiti
Prom Our Own Correspondent
Papeete, July 28.
ESIDENTS who have been in the islands long enough to have known me elder generations of Tahitians, their courtly manners and stately cere mony, the gracious hospitality which was ; their custom*, the beauty and unique idiom of their native music, are most u f earn of the measures init ated by the present Governor of French Oceania to preserve what is remaining of the old culture, restore to memory the ancient poetry, revive the splendour of the old chorus singing, inspire in the younger Tahitians a pride in their an cestors and the history of their race, con serve and extend their native handicrafts and protect the natives in the ownership of their ancestral lands.
His Excellency, by executive decree, has recently designated two more islands— Raivavae and Tubuai—to be closed as places of residence to all except natives of those islands.
Under His Excellency’s direction, “Te Vea Maohi”—heretofore the edition in the Tahitian language of the Official Journal—has been given a new form. The editorship has been conferred on Mon sieur Rene\ Pailloux, who has been a officer of the Administration during many years, and who is learned in the langu age, traditions and history of the Tahit ians. Henceforth this journal will present —in addition to the record of the official acts of the Government—articles con cerning the antiquities, the history, and the ancient lore of the islands, all of which are practically unknown to the average young Tahitian of the present day.
In accord with all who hold a sym pathetic interest in the welfare of the Tahitians, His Excellency is aware that the future weal of the South Sea native lies in the conservation of his land hold ings and the manner of life inherited from his forebears.
The Tahitian is an admirable Poly nesian; but a poor European. The gen ius of his mind is not adjustable to European habits of thought nor does his body thrive under European diet and manner of living. This is amply proven bv comparing the rather sickly native of Tahiti with the inhabitants of those is lands who continue to follow the diet and ways of life of their ancestors.