Islanders in danger?

Press, 21 July 1976, Page 17

Islanders in danger?

By

KEN COATES

The Government’s expressed fears about Soviet ■lnfluence in Tonga has raised the question of whether it might try to stop any trading with Russian fishermen by Cook Islanders — a people strongly loyal to New Zealand. The question is posed by a University of Canterbun- psychologist, Dr Jeanne Perry, who spent four years in the Cooks on a survey sponsored by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research. She says that the 700 people of Penrhyn, the largest and most northerly of the lagoon islands,

were economically dependent on New Zealand, but were still living only on coconuts, fish, and rice. They acquire rice by bartering pigs with visiting South Korean fishermen. Should Russian fishing vessels replace the Korean. the islanders would still need to obtain additional food by barter. The lagoon, of 108 square miles, encircled by a reef of 40 miles, is suitable for pearl farming. In the past few years, says Dr Perry, the islanders have been approached by Australian and Japanese firms io develop the pearlshell industry.

“They refuse foreign development, mainly because they are an extremely proud and independent people, and foremost in their minds is their desperate desire to maintain their distinctive island identity,” she adds. Dr Perry maintains that the people, among whom she spent a month last year, are indifferent to Sir Albert Henry’s political party — not so much from a wish to antagonise the Government, but to emphasise their separateness. “They distrust any decisions made by anyone else, unless they personally have instigated them,

or have been directly involved.”

Dr Perry says the islanders’ reluctance to accept foreign help does not extend to New Zealand because a year ago they were willing to have installed a radio beacon which was given by the Government in order to facilitate New Zealand calibration flights. In recent years, there has been a steady migration to New Zealand. Islanders from Penrhyn cannot stay in Rarotonga because they have no rights to land there. Family land and ownership on Penrhyn is safeguarded by provisions that they may not sell or mortgage land, so migrants come to New Zealand penniless. Dr Perry points out that the island of Penrhyn, strategically placed in the middle of the South Pacific, is vulnerable to outside interests and intervention. With the exception of the island of Suwarrow, it is the only island in the group where small vessels may enter the inner lagoon and anchor. It provides a haven during the hurricane season. But, more important, there is a usable airstrip on the island, built by the American forces during the Second World War. It has been upgraded to handle Hercules aircraft and there is enough land to extend it. The island is frequently visited by South Korean fishing vessels because of the abundance of tuna and other fish in surrounding waters. The fish is sold to a cannery in Samoa. “If the Russians fish in the area, one wonders whether the New Zealand Government will let the islanders barter their pigs for food. If this is refused, the people on Penrhyn will have only fish and coconuts to eat,” Dr Perry says. the native name for the atoll is Tongareva, or

“Tonga in the Heavens.” It was discovered by Captain Sever in the British ship Lady Penrhyn in 1788. During 1863-64, the native villages were almost depopulated by Peruvian slavers. Although the French showed some interest, and sought to include it in the Society group, Britain annexed Penrhyn in 1888.

The poverty of the Penrhyn soil allows only a restricted range of vegetation. There is little timber available. The cover of soil is thin, and what plants are supported by it are readily eaten by land crabs and rats.

Water is not plentiful. Supplies are stored in metal tanks or concrete cisterns for which the corrugated iron roofs of buildings provide the catchment areas. The fluid of the coconut is an important part of the drinking supply.

There is a hospital, and a Cook Island doctor trained in Fiji, on the island, but medical supplies are very short, except for an abundance of tranquilisers, Dr Perry says. There is leprosy on the islands. Copra, pearl shells, and pearls are exported in small quantities. Because of the recent drop in the price of copra on the world market the islanders are finding it no longer profitable to sell their copra because the cost of making it is higher than the selling price.

The Cook Islands are self-governing, but have strong links with New Zealand, which takes responsibility for defence and external affairs. With the opening of the jet airport at Rarotonga efforts have been made to boost tourism.

Dr Perry describes Penrhyn as one’ of the most beautiful places in the world, which could be developed for tourism, especially for visitors interested in big-game fishing.