The Editars' Maillag

iji's Drum Is Not

eaten Loudly Enough

A blast of protest is in from iva’s Mayor, Mr. Charles A. inson. who, as chairman of the ji Visitors’ Bureau and Tourist rvice, feels that our Publisher’s te, in August (to the effect that ji’s tourist traffic seems less than aal, and that more should be done stimulate tourism) was less than ir to the Bureau. rle says that the tourists in Fiji, ns far in 1960, exceed those of 3 same period in 1959 by 15 per it. That certainly does not in ;ate shrinkage, and we stand Tected.

Dn behalf of the Bureau, he ex ssses resentment of the state nt: “There does not seem to be y authority or agency in Fiji with ; necessary power, or imagination, funds, to really sell Fiji’s tourist ractions to the world.”

Dhis never was intended as critic i of the Bureau. The citizens who e the Bureau so much of their •sonal time and thought are pro ing valuable service and, if given f a chance, will do a bigger and ter job for Fiji in the future, a Lane’s work as Secretary > earned nothing but praise. ’he criticism was aimed much her At the time it was written June) there seemed to be only rickle of tourists through Suva; ereas Fiji in all respects is 'thy of the cool-season streams holidaymakers and sunshine kers seen in Ceylon or Hong ig or Hawaii. But those countries, advertise their attractions, really nd lavishly—and cunningly—and ir publicity hits one in the eye many places. ydney and Melbourne, today, ry stirring messages to potential sellers to visit Queensland, New land. Tasmania; but one looks vain at hoardings and news >ers to see anything much or suasive about Fiji’s appeal. (Ex t occasionally and indirectly Dugh an airline or steamship ipany advertisement), i other words, Fiji—like other ntries with something really lable to sell in tropical beauty 1 pleasure—should have not a eau on a limited budget, but a -blooded Tourist Department i funds adequate for the adver ts messages likely to bring the tors There are three things ch Fiji s Government must re nber.

Fiji’s attractions are equal to those of any other tropical

country likely to interest travellers. • Travellers will not go to Fiji unless they really know about Fiji. • When selling anything under competition, it almost always is necessary to spend money in order to make money.

Concerning Equality and

Freedom in N. Guinea

Paul Mason, Bougainville planter, honoured as a wartime Coastwatcher, says his piece: This winter-time flood of politici ans to New Guinea is again notable for the flow of rot being pushed down the throat of the Australian public.

I met a politician I knew, who had just landed in New Guinea— where he had never been before— and he spent a hour telling me all about the place and its problems.

I could not get a word in edgeways.

We can only hope that events in

the Congo will make people think, and see things in a different light.

Now we have a school of thought which says we should be doing what the Dutch are supposed to be doing —namely, educating the few to be the ruling class in New Guinea.

Although I cannot see anything to lecommend this. I have for years advocated full citizenship rights for all indigenes who are capable of exercising them.

For many years, our Territory natives will have to be protected against non-indigenes and against themselves; but this restricts the freedom of the few who are —or should be —capable of looking after themselves. If we were now to accept such people as our equals they would have no cause to feel we were treating them as inferiors. Frankly, I think they would be with us, and against their own colour, if they were accepted by us.

Around settlements, and European towns, there are natives who have given away their village community life and have accepted ours, but they are frustrated and irritated by the restrictions which are necessary to protect the more primitive people.

Then, again, there are those who have been educated —for example, in Australia —who cannot return to primitive living conditions.

We all know the story. Some of them became leaders, and blame us for the primitive and backward state of their people.

If we accept these people—as they should be accepted—we will find them on our side, and against their own people, if and when neces sary.

Our Territories Minister, and his Administrator, are more race conscious than the average long time white resident of the Terri tory. For some reason, the egalitari an and the sentimental “do gooder” are usually more race conscious than the practical per son.

Why should Government native officers of ability get less pay than the European, for the same work?

Admittedly, under the system where the public servant is a member of a protected class, there would be an anomaly. But why keep him a protected person?

The drink question raises its head again. I have repeatedly pointed out that, although it is a major matter to many, as a symbol of in equality, to me it is one of the less important freedoms denied those people who are unnecessarily pro tected.

I was one who fought hard for the Chinese to be permitted to take out Australian citizenship, if they so desired. Before that, things were getting unpleasant in Rabaul. To day, you have to go to a Chinese “do” to be in the social whirl.

("Mailbag” continued on page 35)

As an addition to our collection of magical monoliths, masalis and tambarans (Mailbag, August) Mr. Bill Moore sends this photograph of a carved stone tam baran at Taliligap near Rabaul, New Guinea. The figure is about 2 ft, 3 in. high, and local natives say that it has been there, wedged in the root of a tree that was exposed in a washaway, longer than men can remember. “The local people say that he is 'poison true'," writes Mr. Moore. “One of the local big-wigs claims he is the custodian of the 'poison' and charges a fee of 5/for anyone wanting to lay a curse; or if you suspect that a curse has been put upon you, 5/- will buy protection."

0 Independence From

d Native Custom"

New Guinea Highlands sionary, who asked us not to use name, also has something to say 1 month about what he terms the ices that can be heard clamour for the independence of New nea”. He writes: hey are voices of foreigners— pie who are foreign to the ritory who know New Guinea )ugh a blitz visit by air but who surely foreign to the conditions 3. They judge by generalising n. the hot house samples they t at Hanuabada, or on the Lk or among the Tolais. But be there is any talk about in mdence, some injustices have je eradicated. )me of these flourish as pro ed flowers under the great an of Native Custom. They are to be found in some unknown i village but in quite frequented ;s with a dense population, here is the selling of little girls marriage—not, mind you, a e marking. The selection of the mts is not influenced by the ities of the future husband but the possessions of his father— icularly by the number of his . The biggest bride payment is le before there is a bride, long time—often years—before girl enters womanhood she is ■sed up and told to go to the sband”. If she refuses there will endless nagging and beatings, mever there is a good feast the will get a bone—No meat until heeds the decision of the mts. Should the girl test the ence of her people too long she be dragged to the husband’s

house—sometimes on a pole, like a Pig.

If she is lucky to have some friends she will escape again and again, to take refuge with them.

In any case she has to live like a hunted animal, or else she will live with one real and one hidden husband as best she can manage.

All this happens even a few yards off the main road, where jeeps and trucks shoot past. Luluais usually stick to the old slogan of Native Custom.

If a married woman is divorced or leaves her husband, often on account of mental and bodily cruelty, she is again at a disad vantage, According to Native Custom she has to leave her chil

dren with her husband.

Visits of UNO officials or Parlia mentarians are not such that they see the real life of the people. They are entertained by colourful dances performed by the natives in obedience to “orders” to entertain some white chief, or performed out of mere curiosity to see a wandering white circus.