LIFE IN NEW HEBRIDES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15566, 25 March 1914, Page 11

LIFE IN NEW HEBRIDES

WORK IN MELANESIA. Thf. present unsettled state of affairs in the New Hebrides is bringing those comparatively little-known islands into considerable prominence. Special interest, therefore, attaches to a description of the conditions of life there as given by members of the Melanesia-n Mission, whose furlough in Auckland will end to-day when the Southern Cross leaves on her long biyearly tup to the far : off isles of Melanesia. The recruiting of natives is a fruitful source of discussion, and troubles of different kinds are constantly cropping up to relieve life of monotony for missionaries, planters, and natives alike. So long as a native joins a recuiting party voluntarily, all is well, but the term voluntary is somewhat elastic, and many allegations of foul play have been made from time to time. The native temperament is highly excitable, and under certain coercive influences a native will affix his "mark" to an agreement binding him over to service he would gladly get out of when he returns to his normal senses. Every recruiting steamer is supposed to cany a Government official, but it is alleged that this regulation is very frequently disregarded. Under a certain section of the Condominium code, the recruiting of women is permissible, but this is a deplorable thing, excepting in cases where a woman and her husband agree to work together, for it leads to the grossest abuse of the practice of legitimate recruiting of men, and very frequently to the moral ruin of the woman herself. Left to themselves, the Melanesians preserve a fairly high moral tone, but under sinister outside influences they rapidly degenerate.

White Women's Solitary Life. I With the exception of traders, the missionaries are the only white people on most of the islands. There are in Auckland at present two ladies who have lived among the natives on Mota Island, in the Banks Group, for nearly two yeaars past, with never a glimpse of a white face excepting during the brief visit of the Southern Cross twice a year. "My first impression, on coming here on furlough," remarked one of them, " was the number of white faces and the clothing! It seemed so queer, after Mota, with all its darkskinned, scantily-clad people!" Mrta Island itself is an island of exquisite loveliness, covered with most luxuriant tropical vegetation. The natives on this island are affectionate, simplehearted folk, who call their white teachers " mother," placing in them utmost confidence and reliance. Classes are held every day in the bamboo schoolhouse, all instruction being given in the native language, which members of the mission learn while at Norfolk Island. The housework is done by native girls, many strange experiences their white mistresses go through during the period of instruction. Replenishing the Larder. One of the great drawbacks to- life on these far-off islands is the scarcity of fresh food- Beyond yams, cocoanuts, a few native fruits and fish, all the • food used on the mission stations is canned, from butter to beef. Owing to the damp heat, there is great difficulty in keeping food from growing mouldy. Flour and biscuits are attacked by the weevil, and the condition of the food at times is beyond description, j Supplies only come twice a year, via the Southern Cross, so that if the vessel happens to be delayed, the food question is apt to grow acute. The climate of Mote is moderately healthy as tropical islands go, although every white person contracts the island fever after living there any length of time. This is hardly surprising when one learns that the thermometer registers over 90 degrees all the year round, in winter often mounting to 93 degrees! \\ ith this, there is also a lot of rain. Work such as these women-missionaries perform needs the highest moral courage and spiritual enthusiasm, for they are often called upon to meet situations that the ordinary woman would quail to face, and many sad tasks fall toHheir lot in caring for the sick and the suffering. Some Native * Superstitions., The Melanesian is probably the most superstitious creature on the face of the earth. He believes implicitly in " mins," or " influence." Stones of odd shape may have " mana" to perform the most staggering miracles, but no superstition is too quaint or far-fetched for the Melanesian. One queer belief is that if a person comes to the village, having slept elsewhere overnight, he will bring a bad " influence," which will surely result in evil for the villagers. A long walk before Testing in the village will sometimes disperse this influence, but the superstition is a very awkward one for the missionaries who are constantly, on the move. DiTerent islands have different superstitions ; some a-ft unbelievably cruel and some harmless, tut in some form or other they are pari, of the very nature of the native. The Aristocrat of the Island. Another interesting feature of native life is the existence of. numerous societies, most of them being of a secret nature, and some being allied to the supernatural. Among the latter is the Great Ghost Society. The Suqe is another great semi-secret society, and a man's social rank is determined by

his position in it, while his position in it is determined by the number of pigs he owns. Pigs represent the highest form of 'currency in Melanesia. Four pigs is con sidered a high price, for a bride, vhile in some islands where women are not so scarce, one pig will suffice. The Social Status of Women. Melanesian women are regarded as valuable chattels. There are fewer women than men, and a girl-baby is often betrothed at birth. The feminine lot is not a particularly happy one; once married, the woman has very little say in anything, and soon becomes the mere drudge of the man she has married. The work of the women-missionaries is largely directed toward the improvement of condition for native women. By intimate understanding and practical help in their stunted lives, better things are slowly coming to pass. For there is much that is good in the Melanesian nature. When cruel rites and racial beliefs are once abolished, the people have been proven noble in character, and firm in their allegiance to "the way.of peace," as they term the teaching of Christianity.