Administrative Problems

in Pacific Does British Method Show "Decadence"?

THE British conception of trusteeship for native peoples in the Pacific and on its margins was discussed by Dr.

Raymond Firth, reader in anthropology in the University of London, at a luncheon gathering in Auckland on August 22 by the Auckland branch of the Royal Empire Society (says “New Zealand Herald”).

A traveller in British Pacific countries, said Dr. Firth, was struck by the com plexity of the problems they presented and of their political relations with Great Britain. There were the great self governing Dominions, Crown colonies, Dominions’ colonies, Malayan protector ates ruled by sultans with British ad visers, mandated territories, and finally the Anglo-French Condominium in the New Hebrides, which had been termed “an experiment in obstructive co-opera tion”.

The Ethical Aim

The role of the British people in the Pacific had varied considerably and so had the aims of its policy. Among these had been political and economic develop ment, strategic and political control, and philanthropic or humanitarian objectives, often associated with the aims of Christian missionaries. Combinations of all these three could be traced in every territory.

The principle that the well-being of the native peoples was a paramount con sideration, and the ethical aim accom panying it, were novel and had never been entertained by ancient Rome or 16th century Spain.

The conception of Imperial trusteeship was in marked contrast with German or Japanese conceptions. How it had been arrived at was difficult to explain. Con tinental critics said that it was a sign of decadence, and that Britain, being now unable to hold native peoples by force, was endeavoring to do so by persuasion.

Others declared that it was a belated re action from the evils of the industrial revolution, an attack of “social con science”, or a clever, if unintentional, move in the Imperial game. None of these was a comnlete explanation, but all were elements in the process.

Challenge Of Another System

Dr. Firth reviewed in detail many of the problems encountered by admini strators in endeavouring to help native peoples to realise their own welfare in a changing modem world. He expressed the warmest approval of the British Gov ernment's decision to set aside £5,000,000 a year for development in the Colonial Empire and a further £500,000 a year for research.

The rate of nrogress, he said, varied much as betwee'n different regions, and every imnrovement carried with it some disadvantages in the transition from old ways to new. However, his travels had convinced him that British officials were faithfully and competently seeking to do a good job of work. The British Com mon v;ealth must be prepared to make sac rifices and yield some economic advan tages in the cause of Empire-building. It had to face the challenge of a Machiavel lian system which was unhampered by moral preoccupations, and which might be the more efficient. This called for a measure of sacrifice and more clearly cut aims.

Mr. W. Bryan retired recently from the position of Union Co. wharfinger at Avarua, Rarotonga and has gone to New Zealand.