Coconut Grove on

Can We Live in a Coconut Grove on Nothing a Year?

rE crack-pot writers of South Seas literature appear to be an undying race. Even in wartime, letters come to us from believers in the bilge these writers have put out, expressing their desire to come and settle in a coconut grove, and inquiring if one really can live on nothing a year in the South Sea Islands (writes our Tahiti correspondent).

When, after the war is over, our USA soldiers from hereabout shall have returned to their homes, the South Sea Islands are likely to have a black eye, and Hollywood and the crackpot writers will have to look around for another Utopia.

I suggest the Laos States of Indo china. The Laos States possess all the elements for hectic Hollywood drama — including tropical moon, love too soon, and all the rest.

The Brotherhood of the Bottle (in the Laos States) will have arrack at hand, when all else fails, and will never have to drink Blatta-flavoured rum or poison ous home-made beer, in times of tribula tion.

The people of the Laos States are un sophisticated and have not, as yet, learned that the white man is descended from the Barbary Ape. Therefore, the early arrivals may be received as equals and, perhaps, as honoured guests.