COCONUTS AND CREOLES By J. A. F. Ozanne
Archdeacon Ozanne has written a full account of life and conditions in the Seychelles—that group of islands in the Indian Ocean nearly a thousand miles • east of Mombasa, which were ceded to England by France in 1814. His book (Philip Allan, 12s. 6d.) is addressed to tourists and prospective settlers, who will find it invaluable, but it should be read by anybody interested in problems of colonial government. While appreciating the difficulties of the job, the author has some strong criticisms to make of the workings of the present administration. His criticisms are not personal but rather directed against the constitution which he claims is unworkable, for reasons which he sets forth. Though they possess great natural resources, the islands are poverty-stricken. In a half-hearted attempt to please the various elements of the population (native, French and English), the administrative system apparently fails to satisfy anybody, and the author almost regrets that the islands were ever parted from France. There will no doubt be those who will strongly disagree with the Archdeacon's picture, but perhaps his aim was to arouse discussion about one of the least- known parts of the Empire.
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