" Isles Of The
p. 36 · Read in the full issue
Blest "
New Picture of French Oceania
From Our Own Correspondent NOUMEA, March 23.
MUCH that half the world now wants to knew about French Oceania is contained in a new book. “Tahiti, Terre Francais Combattante," by Dr. de Curton. who was Governor there in 1940 and 1941.
The book contains geographic and his toric sketches, as well as an account of the islands’ riches and resources, and of their Polynesian, European and Asiatic populations, and is enriched by some 60 photographs, mostly by J. E. Nash. It is the first of a series of booklets to be devoted to the French Colonies which rallied to Fighting France.
One learns that of the 4,000 Europeans in French Oceania, more than 3,000 are French mainly officials, gendarmes, teachers, missionaries, etc. Of the 20 other nationalities represented, citizens of the United States are in the majority.
“Most of these foreigners are tourists who have stayed on here because of the charm of the islands and of their inhabi tants. They lead, in Tahiti, a carefree and contemplative life, peacefully enjoythe blissful climate and the beauty of "the landscape, which has seduced them. In general, they take part in no business activities, for they wish to avoid creating in these isles of the blest the cares and the struggles which everlast
ingly trouble the civilised societies from which they have escaped.
“The natives welcome these indolent and inoffensive strangers with hospital ity, and the traveller hears as of old the greeting “e hoa! Haere mai, e tamaa!’ with which the Maori invites the un known passer-by to sit down and share his meal.”
In contrast with white and native indo lence is the assiduity of the commercially minded Chinese, working hard from dawn to dark.
“However, the native, protected by French laws, remains the proprietor of the soil, and this association of the Chinese and the Tahitian is not parasi tism, but a harmonic partnership which perfectly suits the careless indifference and indolence of the Maori.”
Dr. de Curton attributes the past de population of the islands to boredom in a new world created by civilisation. He hardly agrees with those who would attribute it to alcoholism, the custom of adoption, and too precocious defloration of the girls, for these were the rule before white civilisation came. He agrees rather with Stevenson that “their bar baric wars, their perilous sea adventures, their cruel gods, their bloody orgies, were stimulants which gave to the ancient Maori his interest in life; civilisation has suppressed these savage rites and nut nothing in their place.”