THE DUTCH TOUCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 253, 26 October 1933, Page 6

THE DUTCH TOUCH.

COMMERCE AND PIETY.

(By J.C.)

When the early Spanish sailed into the Pacific one of their chief objects was the extension of Christianity, after a fashion; they baptised the wondering islanders wholesale. The English explorers of a later period sought to advance scientific knowledge. But the early Dutch expeditions were essentially commercial. Promotion of trade came first with the worthy Councillors of Batavia, who dispatched the ships that made New Zealand and other islands known to the world. In Professor G. C. Henderson's new book, "The Discoverers of the Fiji Islands," in which the results of long research are embodied, there is a revealing glimpse of the principles—such as they were —-which actuated the Council in the dispatch of the Heemskereq and the Zeehaen under Abel Janszoon Tasman to the unknown South Seas in 1642. Professor Henderson gives a quotation from the instructions to Tasman on his departure for the- Pacific. The "naively crafty" Dutchmen informed him in writing that he was to effect a landing on all newly-discovered territories, and was to treat the natives in a kindly manner and extract from them all information possible about their country, "especially trying to find out what commodities their country yields," and, the Council added, "Likewise inquiring after gold and silver, whether the latter are held by them in high esteem; making them believe you are by no means eager for precious metals, s-o as to leave them ignorant of the value of the same; and if they should offer you gold or silver in exchange for your articles you will pretend to hold the same in slight regard, showing them copper, pewter or lead, and giving them an impression as if the minerals last mentioned were by us set greater value on." This, comments Proflessor Henderson, is delicious, and the humour of it will be the better appreciated if we turn forthwith to the peroration, which runs thus: "Concluding these instructions, we cordially wish you the blessing of the Ruler of all things, praying that He in his mercy endow you with manly courage in the execution of the intended discovery, and may gTant you a safe return to the increase of His glory, the great reputation of our country, the benefit of the Company's service, and your own immortal honour."

■ Thes© were noble sentiments, grandiloquently .expressed, says the author, "but we cannot allow the wily Councillors of Batavia to get away with I more than one of them. The only thing they really cared for ivas the benefit of the Company's service." Tasman certainly did win immortal honour by his discoveries and his safe voyaging over perilous seas. He made known to the white man Tasmania, New Zealand, the Tonga Islands and Fiji. But, notwithstanding all this, the dignitaries who liad sent him forth from Java were disappointed. No islands of gold and silver were found; none of his pewter and lead was exchanged for precious metals and pearls. The piously commercial Councillors, however, have succeeded in immortalising themselves as well as their exploring captain. Those instructions will live jas a, lovely specimen of unconscious humour.