"IN THE SHADE OF THE PALMS."

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 808, 10 June 1903, Page 2

"IN THE SHADE OF THE PALMS."

THE PARLIAMENTARY TRIP.

MU C. E. MAJOR'S IMPRESSIONS'.

A Star reporter interviewed Mr C. E. Major, M.H.it., on Tuesday, and got from him some interesting details and impre-sions concerning the recent trip of Parliamentarians to the Islands. Baratonga pleased Mr Major very much. From there the party proceeded to Mangaia, inhabited by some 1000 natives, and rejoicing in the possession of a king. Tlic King was interviewed, and, with the legislators, braved the dangers of the camera. The natives are, to all intents and purposes, Maoris. Fruit of all descriptions is prolific in the island, which is rarely visited. Mauke was the next islet inspected ; it very much resembles Mangaia. There is only one white man there— Father JBernardine, a Catholic priest. The party visited ' the London Missionary's Church, conferred with the head men, got presents, and gave the camera man another treat. The village is in the centre of the island, instead of, as usual, on the sea shore. Atiu was the next port of call, and from there the party went to Aitutaki, where a pleasant time was spent. Three days at sea, and Tahiti was reached. The voyage was unpleasant, owing to a gale. | Tahiti, in Mr Major's opinion, well deserves < the name it bears — " The Pearl of the Pacific." Here there are Catholic Sisters, who founded the very fine hospital, the superioress in charge having been 40 years on the island. French is spoken by the white inhabitants and the native population, and Mr Major's knowledge of the language proved useful to himself and some of bis less fortunate companions. Fruit is abundant and delicious. From Tahiti to Peorhyn wa* the next move. Penrhyn was the northernmost point of the party's itinerary, being within eight 1 degrees of the Equator. The party here I caw tbe natives dive down in 10 fathoms, bringing up shells each time. The oyster is edible, but not too delicute in fliwor. Pearl fishing was once a great industry here, but now the fisheries yield only pearl shell, whioh is forwarded to England. Leaving Penryhn, the party proceeded to Maniliiki, an atoll of much the same type as the foimer, though of oder formation. The streets of the village reflec's much credit < n the natives, being very clean. Tutuila and Upolu were next visited, and of these islands Mr Major speaks highly. Apia and its suburbs are exceedingly interesting and pretty. The Germans were fortunate in wresting this fine island, with Savani, ftom England. Asked as to his ideas concerning the islands annexed by New Zealand, Mr Major said : " Many opinions were expressed by various members of Parliament who made the trip, but most of the opinions bore the impress of each member's political views, and were a reflex of individual temperament, be it optimistic or pessimistic. Treating the question from a comprehensive standpoint, it must be viewed as one that will occupy the attention of New Zealanders a great deal more after another decade or two has passed. All 7 effective men, and men animated with a patriotic spirit, mnst admit the great potential wealth of the islands now forming a part of this colony, and also that it would have been a constant menace to Britain's other South Sea possessions (including Australia and New Zealand) to ha\e permitted these islands to have been seized by other nations."

In Mr Major's opinion it was a diplomatic step taken by the Premier when he decided j the trip should be undertaken, as it not only established and cemented the spirit of island federation, but has given the inhabitants of Tahiti, Samoa, the Fiji group, nnd Tonga an opportunity of learning much concerning the Government of this colony, and proved an indication of New Zealand's* friendlkeds to them. Many questions that were not understood concerning the selfgoverning powers and the politioal institutions of this colony were explained to tha European and native residents.

"The Premier," said Mr Maj jr, "in promoting this vißit, as upon many previous occasions, wipeJ the eye of the Australian Commonwealth,"

Although the islands may not, he says, for some years prove a source of wealth to New Zealand, sufficient revenue is pioduced after all expenditure to leave a surplus, co that colonists need in no way be fearful that the islands will become a burden. To nil intents and puipose3, save with the exception of Baralonga, their resources are undeveloped, and there is still room in Earatonga for further development. Asked as to pioductiveness, Mr Major said : " Islands that will grow every product that can be grown in Ceylon "must be accounted of valus. Coooanut, sago palms, cotton, hrrowroqt, tea, coffee, cocoa, all spices, and tropical fruits thrive and flourish. Tbe principal difficulty that is hkeiy to occur in the development of the islands is that of labour. This is, however, being solved at Fiji and Samoa, and to a certain extent in Tahiti, by the introduction of coolie?, Solomon Islimders, and other westward island labourers. The abundance of food — fish, fruit, and roots- has tended, with the climate, to grow a race who are, whilst physical giants, are much disinclined to work other than intermittently."

A remark ibln feature in all the islands visited was the arrounfc o£ labour (in each case a labour of love) expended in building very many remarkably fine churches,' each church being provided with seats all surmounted with well-exooutcd carvings.

The language throughout the whole Cook Group is, from an ethnological standpoint, Unit of the Maori race, the Suinoan being most distinct from the others. The Fijian la' guage, of course, is the language of tbe Papuan, not the Suwaiort.

" The visit," said Mr Major, " must certainly pi ove of benefit Jo New Zealand, us, without ft personal knowledge of the islands and their inhabitants and customs, it is impossible lo speak with any certitude, or to frame any laws that will be likely to prove lasting and beneficial."

Matters in the kingdom of Tonga are in rather a bad way, we are told. The Government is conducted entirely by (he Tongans. It seems, however, that the small sum available for public works (very little over 8 per cent, of the total revenue) has caused adverse comment, with the result that unless King Geoige makes some drastic alterations in the conduct of his affairs, a r volution will taka place, and he will find himself minus his throne and the little perquisites attached thereto. The Tonga n group is an exceptionally fine one, and nearer to New Zealand than any of the islands of the Cook group. The Vavau harbour is in Mr Major's opinion finer even than that of Sydney or Auoklapd. T h P harbour at the capital- - Nukualofa— is alsp a good one. Of course, with improved steam service, the islands will become more accessible.

The conduct of the King's affair-, and the endeavour to imitate the pomp and splendor of European courts is to the mind of the humourist somewhat pantomimic.