Meaning "Experts"

Native Races And Well

A NOTE from Dr. Francis W. Hughes, of Edenton, North Carolina, USA: I take this opportunity to commend your policy of conservation against the way present-day governments are making asses of themselves in native adminis tration, guided principally by “experts” who have never seen a native except per haps on a casual visit.

I lived two years at a MG Hospital in the Marshall Islands; I speak Marshal lese fluently, and believe that I know the people better than most Americans; and I am familiar with Samoans to a lesser extent.

We have little to offer the Marshallese culturally or economically other than medical care. Their clan form of social organisation meets their every social problem their islands, while affording a comfortable and secure living, cannot produce money to buy much outside goods. Yet our Government discourages their clan and chieftainship systems and offers but a poor substitute.

It appears to us that the ideal govern ment there would be based on that of Tonga, with a minimum of interference by officious pedagogues who don’t under stand and don’t care to understand native psychology.

I am, etc.,