Last Word On The Use

Of "Kanaka"

Letter to the Editor IAM still of the opinion that the early missionary books are as good an authority as any of the so-called specialist works on the subject of Island dialects. I have perused my copies of certain dictionaries, and one, issued by the London Missionary Society, Malua, Samoa, in 1905, gives the word as “tan gata,” but splits it up as “ta-nga-ta.”

Later copies, issued during Mr. Griffin’s term as printer to the mission, gives the spelling as “tanata” and definitely de precates the use of the letter “k,” making special mention that using the letter, only tends to bring the language into the slovenly grove.

I am, etc.,

J. Nixon-Westwood.

Wellington, NZ, July 29, 1944.