MODERN UTOPIA PLANNED.

Western Star, 2 August 1938, Page 3

MODERN UTOPIA PLANNED.

r. ■ /' ' . \ \ ’ ISLAND IN THE PACIFIC. A. Utopian colony on the island of Nukahiva, .in the Marquesas group, in the Pacific, is planned by a party of Australians, who have* bought the Ho-bart-owned- auxiliary yacht Connella. As soon as alterations have been mad© to the yacht an. advance party, will leave tor the where preliminary arrangements for founding the settlement ,vill be made. Later, persona who desire to settle on the island; will travel _ by steamer to Tahiti, and from there in a schooner to Nukahjva. The scheme is being organised by Mr .F. Briggs, formerly a member of the photographic section, of the Royal Australian Air Force, and the advance party will consist of Mr Briggs and his wife, Mr T. Alexander, of Hobart, and perhaps one or two others. The, new Utopia will be known as' the, Internat onal Goodwill Settlement, and. it is intended to build up a trade with the outside world. Replies to circulars about the project nave been received from all parts of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and America. The rules governing life on the island relate chiefly to physical fitness, the education of children, the pro:edure for settling disputes, the style of buildings, equality of work, religious rites, the financial status of meraI hers, and community ownership of propI erty. ’

The settlement will be open' to all who are tired of the strain of civilised life. It is not intended, however, that the settlers . shall “go native,” and the amenities -of civilisation will be availablei. The Marquesas group comprises 13 islands, with a total area of 480 square miles. They are mountainous and fertile. and are ir.h-b’ted by about 2,500 natives. If suitable .arrangements cannot be made with the ..French Government, the advance party will search for another place for a colony, and will then return to Australia. “We are a strangely assorted lot,” said Mr Briggs. ‘‘The youngest member of the party is not more than 12 months old, and tl;e oldest is aged about 70. There are about equal numbers of men and women, but we have had different upbringings, and have differentideas and tastes. I know experiments 'ike this have failed in the past, but I know the islands, and a.t Nukahiva 1 ‘■hint there is a chance of success.” The party proposing to found the settlement numbers more than 100.