Demographic Instability in the Paci C Island Territories
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Durham E-Theses Demographic instability in the pacic island territories Matoto, O. A. How to cite: Matoto, O. A. (1971) Demographic instability in the pacic island territories, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/10011/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk DEMOGHAPHIC INSTABILITY Bf THE PACIFIC ISLAND TEREITORIES Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Durham, for the degree of M.A. 'O.A. Matoto B.A. (Auckland) University of Durham, Durham City, England, 1971. The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published without his prior written consent and information derived from it should be acknowledged. ABSTRACT The main purpose of this thesis is to show that demographic instability is a feature of the populations of the Pacific island territories. Fluctuations in mortality, fertility sind migration are expected to produce fluctuations in population numbers and growth rates, as well as changes in the age-sex structures and ethnic compositions. Moreover, because the populations are small instability could easily be the result of random fluctuations. The first chapter seeks to describe the characteristics of island populations, and here it is conjectured that instability could have been a feature of the pre-contact populations owing to migrations and probably alternating periods of growth and decimation once population growth reached an optimum. European contact was characterised by population decline at varying rates between and within island territories. The main cause of this decline was high mortality which was primarily the result of epidemics and diseases although wars, blackbirding, labour recruiting and infanticide contributed. Probably the unsettling effects of contact between two different cultures had something to do with this decline but it is often exaggerated as the main cause. In some islands out-migration was the main cause of population decline. The cessation of population decline also varied between and within the island territories but by the late 1940's all were showing population growth which accelerated in the 1950's and 1960's, except where emigration was significant. Growth has been due to the reduction of mortality to veiy low levels and a rise in fertility. European contact also stimulated population movements which led to the disappearance of the dispersed form of settlement and the emergence of today's nucleated villaiges. Urban areas grew up mostly around the focal points of initial contact and trade. Population growth and decline, have also affected population distribution, although population densities are still very much higher in the atolls. The ethnic composition of the area of study has also changed since western penetration and a visible sign is the rapid increase of the mized-blood population in Polynesia. In chapters two and three the trends and the variations in the levels of mortality and fertility between and within territories are discussed. Through the miracles of public health and the cheap methods of mass immunization the incidence of the common debilitating diseases has been either reduced considerably or completely eradicated. Within a short space of time mortality has been reduced to very low levels comparable to those in developed countries, and life escpectancy has risen rapidly. Hi^ fertility necessary for survival persisted and within 30 years ezplosive population growth has become the main welfare problem. To reduce rapid population growth family planning has been initiated, but generally it is still a long way from being very effective in reducing high fertility. The trends in migration are studied in chapter four and it is found that the nature and character of migration into, within and out of the island territories have changed since European contact. Asian immigration has virtually ceased since the 1930's and although immigrants of European origin are increasing they are mostly temporary migrants. Inter-territorial migration has been partly revived in the 1960's but it is unlikely to be significant. Emigration from the island territories to metropolitan countries is increasing, although it is significant for certain territories only. Within island territories, in-mig-ration to the port towns and main islands is increasing, and it is producing social problems as well as being detrimental to well-planned economic development. Emigration is no solution to rapid population growth and only the very small territories would be able to get relief from it. Neither will population redistribution within and between island territories be feasible. Finally, in chapter five the fluctuations in population growth and numbers, and the changes in the age-sex structures and ethnic coinpositions effected by the changing trends in mortality, fertility and migrations are discussed. Within the area considered in this study are different types of population structures and processes v/hich are the products of complex interrelations of milieu, culture and political and economic structures with human reproduction, survival and migration. Because the populations are small demographic changes are rapid and have deep impact and repercussions. It is possible that the rapid decline of fertility in Fiji in the I96O's could presage the beginning of similar trends in other territories which will produce, in addition to migration where significant, further changes in population growth, age-sex structures and ethnic compositions. In view of the growing population pressure on limited resources it is hoped that the transition to low fertility will not only come soon through family limitation but also as rapidly as the transition from high to low mortality. PREFACE In preparing this thesis I have become very much indebted to my supervisor. Professor J.'T'. Clarke, who not only suggested the topic but also gave freely of his time and advice, as well as correcting many faults of expression. Moreover, his unstinted moral support made the completion of this study possible. I would also like to thank Professor W.B. Fisher and the Staff of the Geography Department who have helped in various ways. On innumerable occasions, generous help was invariably received from the advice and assistance of other research students, especially K.M. Elahi, C.A. Palmer, A. Hameed and P. Balasundarampillai. To the Staff of the Departmental Library, the Science Library and the Palace Green Library I owe thanks for their willing help and assistance. I would also like to mention the considerable help and assistance received from S.N. Fiefia, Senior Education Officer in Tonga. Advice and materials were also provided by A.C. Walsh, Department of Geography, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. Mention must also be made of V. Naupoto and A.H. Katoa in gratitude for their assistance in providing useful materials and information. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge with deep gratitude the award of a Scholarship by the Association of Commonwealth Universities which made this study possible. To all those people and institutions, named and unnamed, who have helped in various ways during the undertaking of this study, I am deeply grateful. However, none of them should be held responsible for what follows. „ . 'O.A. Matoto. Durham City, September, 1971. CONTENTS Page List of Figures List of Tables Introduction Chapter I : Characteristics of Pacific Island Populations 1 1. Pre-European Populations 2 2. Decline of Population 6 3. Causes of Population Decline 11 Diseases and Epidemics 13 Wars 14 Blackbirding and Labour Recruiting 17 Psychological Factors and Traditional Population Control Practices 19 4. Demographic Effect of the Decline of Population 22 5. Population Recovery and Growth 25 Reasons for Recovery and Subsequent Growth 25 Current Population Growth 32 6. Population Distribution and Urbanization 38 Changing Patterns of Settlements 39 Population Redistribution and the Present Distribution Patterns 41 7. Ethnic Composition 47 Trends of Mixed-Blood Population 51 8. Conclusion 52 Chapter II ; Mortality 62 1. Trends and Patterns in Mortality 63 Levels of Mortality 63 Trends and Patterns of Decline in Mortality 67 Crude Death Rates 67 Infant Mortality 71 Age-aex-Specific Mortality Changes 75 Expectation of Life at Birth 76 2. Differentials in Mortality 79 Intra-Territorial Differences 80 Urban-Rural Differentials in Mortality 81 Ethnic Mortality Differentials 84 Age-Sex Differentials 87 3. Factors Associated with Mortality Decline 91 Development and Expansion of Health Services 91 Changing Disease Pattern 99 4. Conclusion 103 Chapter III ; Fertility 112 1. Levels and Trends in Fertility 112 Current levels of Fertility 112 Trends in Fertility 118 Fluctuations in Fertility 118 Trends in Fertility 121 2. Main Causal Factors of High Fertility 125 Age at Marriage 125 Social attitudes and the Age at Attainment 128 of Motherhood. Completed Family Size and Frequency of Sirths 131 Premarital Fertility 133 3. Differentials in Fertility 137 Geographical Differentials 137 Ethnic Differentials 143 Socio-Economic Differentials 147 4. Family Planning and Future Prospects 149 Family Planning 149 Future Prospects 153 Chapter IV : Migration 163 1. Evolutionary Phases of Migration Trends I64 Primitive Migrations I64 Early Post-Contact Migrations 166 Migrations and Resource Eaploitation I67 Migrations of Interwar years I69 Contemporary Migrations 170 2.