‘Exploiters’

The Natives and the ‘Exploiters’

THESE (South Pacific Islands) are the only remaining regions where colonial powers are carry ing out their work of control with reasonable security.

“The peonle of these areas have learned nothing of unity to press their own claims, and have become pawns in the hands of nations.

Tonga, alone, is an independent kingdom, controlling her own way of life.

“For years the South Pacific peoples have been sources of material profit for those who would exploit them.

“It took the war to bring them from the seclusion of their tropic isles to the front line of world interest.

“New and sweeping changes have come across the lives of these people by the contacts they made as hostilities sweat around them. Now comes the swift impact of the world through our twentieth century life and thought. They know a great deal of the way in which the West is thinking and acting at the pre sent time.

“They have now exploded the myth of the infallible white man, and they are coming to feel that they have the power to build their nations.

“As we have a White Australia Policy, so they are telling us ‘We have a Brown Pacific Plan,’ and ‘Tonga for the Tongans’ is a cry that is heard in not so isolated groups.

“There is a strong claim that they should share the fruits of their own labours and lands. They claim the right to some responsibility in the government of their land, and a greater-share in external respon sibilities.”

The foregoing is an extract from a report, in “South Coast Times” (NSW), June 18, of an address de livered in Corrimal by Rev. C. F.

Gribble, General Secretary of

Methodist Overseas Missions, Aus tralia.

The 1953 Goulburn (NSW) Lilac Time Queen will win a two weeks’ cruise to Fiji and other S. Pacific islands on the Orcades.