Modern Beach-Combers

Tahiti Has A Problem

From Our Own Correspondent PAPEETE, March 10.

ARISING out of the drive for tourists conducted by the Governor of Tahiti, an unfortunate condition is develop ing, and assuming serious proportions, re garding the arrival of small yachts in Papeete.

Some of these vessels arrive here manned by crew members who are work ing their way without pay, in order to get to the glamorous South Seas. Upon arrival here, they abandon the ship with out funds, live among the natives and, in some cases, become public charges.

Often, these gentry possess such articles as cameras, typewriters and firearms, upon which customs duty should have been paid. These they smuggle ashore and peddle around. With the proceeds they eke out a hole-and-corner existence on the black market, and on the fringes of respectability until, perhaps, they ship out, again as non-pay crew members, on another tramp yacht for a distant port.

This is the type of “tourist” which Tahiti emphatically does not want.

Recently, a young woman arrived in Papeete, from Honolulu, as crew member of a yacht. Without sufficient funds to deposit the “caution money” required by the Government of all new residents she was in a serious predicament, until she was fortunate enough to be allowed to sign on as stewardess on an outgoing passenger steamer.

In another recent case, several young men arrived here by yacht. As they were not able to satisfy the authorities here that they were desirable visitors, on their

departure they were refused permission to call at Bora Bora. On the pretext of repairs to their mast they, however, ef fected a landing there. Ashore, they staged a drunken orgy with the natives before they left.

Again, the other day, a yachtsman was caught surreptitiously loading a small engine he had not declared to the Cus toms onto the car of a resident of Papeete.

All visitors to Tahiti who come here in legitimate ways and who abide by port regulations, are courteously received by the authorities, and experience no un necessary inconvenience.

ANOTHER PHASE is that yacht agents, as bondsmen, are liable for the mal practices described above. After selling bonded goods and departing, de faulting crew men leave a legacy of lia bilities behind, for which their unfor tunate agents have to make good.

While the arrival of undesirable new comers is unfortunate for Tahiti, it is particularly so for legitimate foreign yachtsmen who contemplate a visit to French Oceania. It is to be hoped that effort will be made among them to check these unfortunate practices before drastic measures are taken by port officials.

Yachtsmen arriving in Tahiti should de clare all their supplies, including packages with which they have been entrusted by friends to deliver in Papeete. They should also see that crew members, com ing ashore, possess sufficient funds for current expenses, that they remain at tached to the ship while in port, and leave with it when it departs.

In particular, it should be remembered that no firearms or ammunition may be landed in Tahiti, nor may newcomers re main as residents without the Governor’s sanction.