Ladylike

Rationing In

Tahiti

When Ladies Are Not Ladylike

From Our Own Correspondent PAPEETE, April 24.

IN Tahiti, that Vorpal blade, that two edged sword, the tongue of man (and of woman), although exceeding sharp and active, is overshadowed by the gnawing monster athwart the dia phragm—Te Opu, known to Anglo- Saxons as the stomach.

The exigencies of war have compelled the rationing of some few imported food stuffs, such as butter, sugar, potatoes, onions and so forth, and certain days are appointed for their distribution.

The majority of those gathered about the doors and counters of places of sale are women; and one attending on the outskirts of the assembly has eye-witness evidence of the poet’s assertion that “the female of the species is more deadly than the male”.

The violent, clamorous scenes have been extended to the market-place, when certain desirable varieties of fish are scarce, and to those now rare occasions when cotton dress-wares are offered for sale.

We are developing a race of Amazons

at Tahiti; and mere man, in fear of his life and limb, stays far away from the battle-front, even if he must deprive himself of exotic luxuries.

Crafty males, whose womenfolk are unequal to the undertaking, finance militant females so that they may charge into the storm and fray on their behalf.

When war was declared, Sir Charles Mappin, a young English baronet, was visiting Mangareva, Gambier Islands, in a Papeete-hired schooner. The English man and his party at once returned to Tahiti, en route for Europe. Sir Charles refused a commission, and joined up with the RAF in London. Now comes news of his death, as a gunner, while flying over Germany. The origin of the Mappin wealth was Sheffield cutlery.

Sir Charles, who was born in 1909, was the third baronet: he left no heir.

“Eriki”.