Lectures to aid Jeremiahs

aid Jeremiahs

Will New Guinean societies go under? Are they undergoing the change necessary to ensure their survival? Is the change fast enough?

Much of the pessimism of some economists, political scientists and other learned and not-so-learned persons is based on the belief that New Guineans are in a social maelstrom, with little hope of coming out of it in good health. But do the pessimists have the necessary know ledge of social change and social continuity? Some of the prophets of doom have certainly failed to recognise the demonstrated adapt ability of New Guineans to the

pressures of a rapidly-encroaching

world.

It is most opportune that Melbourne University Press has reprinted Professor lan Hogbin’s Josiah Mason Lectures, first published 12 years ago. rhe lectures explain what social :hange is, how it comes about and low it sometimes manifests itself, logbin points out that the practi ioners of anthropology, his disciples, lave so far devoted most of their ttention to the disintegration of social tructures and have overlooked that ntegration, in terms of a new kind •f structure, is taking place. He con fers it essential to recognise and

malyse this reintegration—just as

ssential as it is to understand the ismtegration of “traditional” struc ures.

The book traverses a long span and 'ide area of human history, drawing n events in places as far apart as ritain, the Pacific Islands and North imerica. It reminds us that techno }gical change, that much-bruited bout facet of modern societies, is ot a new, human experience. To take ist one example: the impact of the Production of steel axes to the :onomy of the Siane of the New minean highlands about 30 years ?o was much greater than that of ectncity on Edison’s contemporaries, nd the chain reaction caused by ivention and innovation is found iroughout history. Those who splore the present plight of the able South Seas savage and throw

their hands up in horror over his precipitated entry into the modern world, need to read this book. Hogbin reminds them that we have much better knowledge of the causes and events which led to the doom of some cultures than was possessed by the people of those cultures. It fol lows, as he rightly suggests, that, by furthering their knowledge and under standing of social change in Pacific societies, those who plan for develop ment will be in a better position to make sound decisions. They will also take heart from this account of the resilience of human societies.

Professor Hogbin’s long and wide experience among, and empathy with Pacific islanders are matched by scholarship. Using clear and often delightful prose, he has brought together and developed the ideas of a long line of noted anthropologists and sociologists. Administrators will find of value his explanation why Pacific Islanders eagerly adopt some innovations while rejecting others seemingly as attractive. And mis sionaries will, if they still need to, read a dispassionate account of the values which Pacific Islanders accord to Christianity. Overriding all of this is the main theme of the similarity of change in society among different peoples, in different places and at different times.

If books were accompanied by song, then “When will they ever learn?” would be the appropriate tune. —HHI. (SOCIAL CHANGE, $6.60, Melbourne University Press, 1970).

THERE’S only one word on the cover, Tahiti, but there’s also a lovely bikinied vahine, which, to the world outside, is what Tahiti is all about. , Mr. Alexandre M. Ata, Director of Tourism for French Polynesia, has developed that angle, and the curves too, in 128 pages of a volume ob viously aimed at the tourist.

There’s no price given but, as it’s a promotional effort, it shouldn’t be more than a couple of dollars or so and no doubt good value for those who want to look at colour pictures of the sea, the sand, the flowers, the hills, the valleys, the streets, the hotels and the girls of French Poly nesia. n Many of the pictures are new; all are first class.

“Stirring smoothness of the skin, heavy hair, big expression-filled eyes, wide shoulders, a splendid back fol lowed by narrow hips and strong round legs, a pharaonic profile with a superb poise: the vahine,” writes Mr. Ata in two languages. He should know. —JC.