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Terminology

The following notes address certain difficulties or relativities with the use of certain words in the text. The main intent is to invite the user to think of these words within required qualifications rather than to take them in an absolute sense.

Australian The story that takes us through this site starts around 1863.

The word 'Australian' is used in the text even for events that precede actual Federation in 1901 when Britain's 'colonies' in Australia agreed to become states and to federate in a commonwealth. Even so, Australian Citizenship did not eventuate until 1947.

'Australian' refers, therefore, predominantly to the white population because, for the most, its members, by then, considered this island-continent as 'home'.

South Sea Islander versus Australian South Sea Islander Up to 'Recognition' (1990s), 'South Sea Islander' is preferred to 'Australian South Sea Islander'.

In this context, the South Sea Islanders, like the majority of the white population, may, at some stage, have considered this land 'home'. It remains however that the white, the holders of power, failed to treat them as part of the wider group. This wider group thought of itself as Australian but its members would hardly ever refer to 'Australian South Sea Islander' when referring to what in most minds were 'black' or 'kanaka' and, at best, the Islanders.

The 'South Sea Islanders' referred to in these web pages, and their descendants, must be distinguished from post-1970 general migration from islands of the South Pacific region. This is of critical importance in allocating places in traineeship, employment, scholarships and so forth that may be dedicated by government exclusively to Australian South Sea Islanders - the direct descendants of the 1863-1904 historical episode.

European This term refers to the white majority and must be constructed as 'people of European descent'.
White The terms 'white' or 'black' would not normally be used nowadays. They are, however, self-eloquent in the context of the segment of history referred to in these web pages.
Black The comment under the term 'White' applies.
Culture This applies to mores, practices, beliefs, traditions, values, anticipated behaviours and so forth. It does not refer, however, to something rigid or static. Cultures evolve with time, and with contact/exchange with other cultures. In looking at different cultures, it is useful to adopt a relativistic rather than stereotypical approach.