More Polynesians
p. 10 · Read in the full issue
How All Branches of The Race Are Now Increasing
SUMMARISING his impressions before returning from New Zealand to his job of Director of the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, Sir Peter Buck, in April, re ferred to the remarkable growth of the Maori population.
Fifty years ago, the Maoris did not number more than 40,000, and the com munity was shrinking. To-day, there are 110,000 Maoris in NZ, and they are in creasing steadily. Sir Peter is confident that Pakeha and Maori will merge hap pily in New Zealand, for the benefit of that growing Dominion.
The revival of the Maori race is no isolated incident, however. It is a pheno menon common throughout Polynesia.
Fifty years ago, it seemed that Samoans, Tongans, Cook Islanders, Tahitians and Hawaiians were doomed. To-day, every one of those communities has more or less doubled in size, and is growing healthily.
Even the Fijian race (Polynesians based on sturdy Melanesian stock), which seemed to be staggering at the opening of the century, are now increasing satis factorily in numbers.
These South Pacific Territories provide an interesting example of how primitive races will fall away under the impact of European penetration and then, in cer tain circumstances, will make a strong re covery.