THE MODERN SPIRIT OF MELANESIA

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 26, Issue 4, 1 April 1936, Page 3

THE MODERN SPIRIT OF MELANESIA

The day has passed when those who have any knowledge of affairs m the Pacific rave and rant against missions. The observer of to-day

realises the part the missions have played as a buffer between the natives and vested commercial interests. If, indeed, any evidence of the efficacy of the work of the modern mission was required, it could be supplied by Tasiu Moffat Ohigaita, a member of "The Brothers,* a native Melanesian order of the Anglican Church which has won the admiration of all acquainted with its activities. One is so accustomed to the more publicised cultural accomplishments of the Polynesian, that I must admit it came as rather a shock to meet an educated Melanesian; After talking with Tasiu Moffatt one can well understand a recent remark of the Rev. Dr. Charles Fox when he said that the Western Pacific will yet produce men of the mental calibre of such Polynesians as Sir Apirana Ngata, M.P., Professor Peter Buck, and the late (Dr.) Sir Maui Pomare. I have known many Maoris darker than Moffatt m complexion. In appearance he looks less than his thirty years. In stature, like many of his fellow-countrymen, he is small. But his head is well modelled, his brow wide and ample, and his expression keen and intelligent. In Moffat's accent there are definite traces of the Oxonian English of his teachers. His vowels, for instance, are always clearly enunciated. There is nothing slipshod m his speech. It is a joy to hear him say "year"! Sydney was, of course, a source of constant wonder to the diminutive Melanesian. But of all the sights he has seen, as he walked bare-footed through the city, none impressed him more than the Harbour Bridge. When he returned on vacation to his native island of Ysabel a year or so ago he told his people of the bridge. "But they would not believe me," he remarked, "until I showed them the photographs of it as proof!" So long as missions can produce men of the stamp of Moffatt, his colleagues Ini and Henry, (and others of "The Brothers" band of workers), there is ample justification for the Church's appeals for support. Not only are they a credit to the Church which has pioneered this difficult field at the cost of manhood and as the result of expenditure of wealth, but the native clergy are extending the sphere of British influence m the Pacific. And whatever the faults of

the British may be, anyone who has seen other nationalities at work m the Pacific, cannot but come to the conclusion that the old boast of British colonisation still holds good.

The Briton stands for justice and fair play, and the native, Polynesian or Melanesian, instinctively recognises that. Without desiring m any way to detract from the good work that has been accomplished by other nationals m the Pacific, one does feel that, apart from the Americans, the native people are better off under British administration. One cannot forget the fact that American money is to-day very largely instrumental m training the native medical practitioners, many of whom are now working m the different islands with such splendid results. But man cannot live by science alone. The native, divorced from the spiritual beliefs and customs of his ancestors, requires something to 4ake their place. Therefore, Mr Editor, it has been an inspiration to meet men of the type of Tasiu Moffatt, men who will, m the course of years, play an even more important part m the advancement of their fellow-countrymen. And I am indeed glad to be able to pay this little tribute to Brother Moffatt and to all for. what he stands. — Eric Ramsden.