British Countries in the South Pacific

South Pacific

ONE of the most useful books on the South Pacific was published recently by Longmans Green & Co., London.

It is “Britain and the South Seas,” by Sir Harry Luke, formerly Governor of Fiji, and now head of the British Coun cil in the West Indies.

Sir Harry has a polished and graceful literary style; he always was intensely interested in the background and present condition of the British South Pacific Islands; he naturally is a man who is careful of his facts —so his little book is not only a pleasure to read, but is a valuable addition to any reference library.

This recital of the chapter heads will give some idea of its character and scope: The Natives of the South Seas and Their Islands.

The Discovery of the Pacific.

The First British Settlement; Pitcairn.

Hawaii and Tahiti.

The Growth of British Imperial Respon sibilities.

The New Hebrides; An Experiment in International Collaboration.

The Part of the Dominions: Australian and New Zealand Dependencies.

The Part of the Dominions: The Mandates.

British Achievement in the South Seas.

The front end-paper shows “Racial Dis tribution in the South Seas”; and the back end-paper “Political Divisions in the South Seas”—two charts which are of great use to anyone who wants to speak or write authoritatively about the dozen or more administrations of the South Pacific.

First civilian passenger on the new plane service between Rarotonga and Auckland, via Apia, Nukualofa and Suva, Mr. W. H. Watson, well-known trader, of Rarotonga, passed through Fiji in July.

He carried with him some excellent samples of shoes made in Rarotonga, a new industry started there by Mr. Wat son and his associate, Mr. W. Bond. Mr.

Bond never has been inside a shoe fac tory. but he operates a couple of machines, and the Polynesians buy his shoes eagerly. Shoes made on European lasts are too narrow for Cook Islands feet. The locally-made shoes are made on a wider last, and do not cause the native peonies any discomfort. The enter prising promoters are seeking a market outside of the Cook Islands.