The historical and social background of the British colonies in the South Pacific has been sketched in as a prelude to this book's main theme: the setting up of Western forms of government and their working in a non-Western society. The experience of Britain in these particular colonies is related in the final chapter to some general aspects of colonial government.

The historical and social background of the British colonies in the South Pacific has been sketched in as a prelude to this book's main theme: the setting up of Western forms of government and their working in a non-Western society. The experience of Britain in these particular colonies is related in the final chapter to some general aspects of colonial government.