THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

Otago Witness, Issue 3414, 20 August 1919, Page 53

THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

A VISITORS IMPRESSIONS. TREATMENT OF JAPANESE . DISCUSSED. The attractions of the delightful tropical islands of the, Pacific have impressed themselves very strongly on the mind of Mr <J f '■ S. Sinclair, who returned to Dunedin « few days ago from a visit to Honolulu. In . the course of a short interview with a Daily : Times reporter last week, Mr Sinclair had some' interesting observations fo make re- j specting. the 'lrfe and customs of the ' Hawaiian Islands. ■■•..• \ "Unquestionably" he said, "Honolulu is [ a veritable Garden of Eden. Tropical verdure and flowering trees are abundant, and everywhere one is treated to a gorgeous feast of colour. The city itself is of some size, and is maintained and run on up-to-date lines. It possesses an excellent tram service, the fare on which is uniform — The major portion of the population is foreign, and in numbers the Japanese predominate,- comprising about one-half of the . population of the island. It is a prosperous little place, and the sugar planters and pineapple growers have amassed huge fortunes, several having the reputation of be- . ing millionaires. Every precaution is taken by the authorities to prevent the introduction of fruit pests—in fact, the Government seems more concerned: about these' than about epidemics and contagious diseases. Passengers are forbidden to bring fruit ashore, and I even saw individual apples removed from passengers' luggage. "The city is governed by a council, very much on the same lines as in New Zealand.The councillors, however, are pud for the* services, and I think each one receives ItV dollars a month. The system did not givs one the impression of running vert, smoothly. Party politics and incidental feet ing seemed to be running very high, and , where possible the actions of the party to ; power were, at the instigation of the Opposition,' taken to the courts. The Mayor—an interesting and intelligent old Hawaiian-* an old campaigner in public life, and at the time I was in Honolulu he* was proceeding to oust from office most of the employees who were known to possess sympathies foe his opponents. This is apparently the recognised procedure in American States, and is accepted with dooile tranquillity by the public • ~ . "Quite a substantial standing army S maintained by the Americans in Honolulu, continued Mr Sinclair, "and this, it to understood, is to be increased to SU«W trained men. In addition preparations havj been completed in Pearl. Harbour for the permanent location .of a portion of the American fleet as its Pacific naval base. , Until recently the entrance to the harbour was accessible only to small ships, but coral obstructions have been dredged; away with the result that large ships may sad into this natural haven. It was expected that the American fleet, accompanied by Mm Daniels (Secretary of the Navy), would par : an official vist to the islands next month, and the naval base would be officially opened. A natural question arises in tbf, Sd as to the necessity for these xmhtery and naval preparations. The reason » that the Americans are exceedingly afraid; of ■, Japanese aggression and are subsenbers to the doctrine that to be prepared is the best j security for the avoidance of trouble. tt is also surprising to find that anti-Ja P ane« feeling is being promoted in the local preM. Coffins of this matter appear daily £the newspapers, and one cannot but wonder at the official silence that is maintained by the respecting the torrent of abuse that is poured upon them. To the outsider . itwould appear 1 that the newspapers are larsely instrumental in the promulgation of . tS feelings, possibly/for lack of other matter to serve up to their readers. .This Smression, however, may be misconceived, At P thf£une time, no self-respecting nation can be expected to remain silent for all time under the insult of this very irritating attitude. Curiously enough, however, i Japnesl born in Hawaii becomes an Ainert Ca proceeaing, Mr Sinclair said that in hi. ft was an ideal spot for anyone requiring s change There wire many interesting places . to see, plenty of recreation excellent golf links tennis courts, a polo ground, ftnd a healthy climate, though m certain months ft was rather hot. Amongst the places to be Teen are the heights, known as the Pah, the scene of an hfstorio Hawaiian battle;.. thl sugar and pineapple plantations; the picturesque Moana Valley, a model residential area t the aquarium, and the island of Hilo with its wonderful active volcano. There is also sea bathing in water that ;mo almost tepid, surfing with, boards, and the delightful pastime of canoeing.