LIFE IN JAVA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 164, 13 July 1935, Page 16

LIFE IN JAVA.

iNTENSE CULTIVATION

ADDRESS TO TRAVEL CLUB

Java with its teeming millions and varied life was described by Professor J. X. Van Dcr Ley, formerly chief of the Government service for waterpower and electricity in the Netherlands. East Indies, to members of the Auckland Travel Club yesterday at Milne and Choyce's reception hall. 'J hero was a large attendance. In his opening remarks the professor expressed cordial approval of the principles and work of the club, as it promoted friendship and brotherhood amongst the different people. Java, said the professor, was comparatively a small ]iart of the Netherlands East Indies, but it was by far the most developed. It had a population of 42.000.000 native people. 3,000,000 Chinese, and between 250.000 and 300.000 whites and half-castes, the, latter being regarded as Europeans, and having the same rights. Owing to the density of the population intense cultivation of tlio soil was necessary, and the rico fields extended up the slopes of tlio mountains to the level of 5000 ft and 0000 ft. The interior of the country wan mountainous —one peak reached over 13.000ft—and the mountain tops were left jungle covered, because it was realised that it was dangerous to deforest too much of the country. Tracing the history of Java, Professor Van Dei- Ley paid that the Hindus brought their culture there 2000 years ago. They were followed by Mohammedans, and later by the Dutch. The Javanese to-day wero good Mohammedans, and there were still traces of Hindu culture. The first government by the Dutch was a private company; the present form of government was autocratic. in that the head was a governorgeneral appointed by the Queen of the Netherlands for five years. Since 101!) thev had had a Parliament, but it had no power to make laws. It could discuss anything and make recommendations, but the decisions were made in Holland. That made political interference impossible, and prevented the sudden decisions which marked some of the other parliaments of the world. The living standard of the country was simple, and unskilled labour was cheap. The land belonged to the natives. A European could own a few acres to build a home, but not big areas. Professor Van Dcr Ley reminded his audience that New Zealand had something in common with his country, as Abel Tasman was the first to visit the New Zealand coast, and he added: "I cannot understand why he turned his back on such a wonderful country."