NATIVE FIJIANS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 264, 7 November 1932, Page 8

NATIVE FIJIANS.

RACE HOLDING ITS OWN. IMPROVEMENT IN HEALTH. RAVAGES OF EPIDEMICS. » (From" Our- Own Correspondent.) SUVA, October 27. There is-a prevalent impression that the natives, of the Pacific are elowly but surely dying out. While this- may; be so with the native population of islands governed by other European countries, it is not the case with those under the Union-.Jack. The health records of-41 years show that the Fijians are holding their 'own, and are slowly but surely increasing in numbers, and the future of the race from a medical point of view seems very promising.

The first severe blow received by the Fijian was the measles epidemic of 1903. From 1905 the medical services began to expantl. Men with tropical knowledge in medicine took up the work and between 1907 and 1917, among other things, the.horrible disease of yaws was tackled scientically, with excellent effect. In 1918 came the terrible epidemic of influenza, when thousands of natives succumbed. In 1922 the Rockefeller Foundation took part in the work and carried on an intensive campaign against hookworm and yaws, and promoted soil sanitation. Again in 1930 came the dreaded epidemic of dysentery, with hurricanes and floods, and hundreds of Fijians were left/homeless. The Government came to their assistance, and to-day the position is most satisfactory, health being good and the-people living in comfort. The child welfare campaign has greatly reduced the baby death T&te. ..'-'"• "-">:. •: •"■•

cessful settler. Daily the influence of Communism is dying out and the native is fast casting aside the fettering influence which has in the past held- him aloof from that progress and material wealth which distinguishes his more aggressive neighbour , (and usually tenant) the Indian. *

The latest figures of population for Fiji! give the estimated number as 185,573. These include .93,414 Fijians, 76,722 Indians, and 5058 Europeans. The total death rate for 1931 was 22.22 being a decrease'of 9.02 over the preceding' year. ' The birth rate was 33.93, being a decrease of 1.56 over the previous The incidence of typhoid was steadily "on the decrease, and no fewer than 4187 inoculations were given during the year. The improved sanitary conditions within the colony; have been most marked'i due to a ceaseless and energetic campaign carried out by the medical authorities. . ■

Altogether the public health of the colony is a, matter for serious congratulation and almost wonder, when one considers the huge difficulties facing the authoritie's. . Women. Form Guild. When the Medical Department commenced to give lectures on child welfare to-the native Fijians it was the men who composed the audience. To-day the women occupy the front seats. They have formed a Fijian Women's Guild, which already has 3000 members'in 123 ■branches. At. their annual conference, opened by Mrs. Seymour, wife of the . Colonial Secretary, who, .by'the way,was welcomed by Adi Ruye, the wife of Mr. Derrick, it was shown that wonderful progress was.being made in improving the social and domestic conditions of the people, while the death' rate of ' the babies showed a - splendid- decrease.

Taking Up Farming.

The Fijians have been encouraged to take up farming by scientific methods, and already a number have taken up sugar cane cultivation with decided success. The records show that ,all that the Fijian requires is training and his noted enthusiasm and love of both soil and-animaitv-flta him jg-ftgwm<j g^ggg-