This is one of several stories which appeared in the This Week supplement to a number of North American newspapers, but does not seem to have been published in Britain.
Joe Barker, a ship's cook, falls overboard and lands up on a Pacific Island. Six girls have rescued him, and he must choose one of them as a bride. But one has been designated by the local God, and if Joe chooses wrong he will be torn limb from limb. He is warned to choose the one wearing a red skirt, but alas Joe is colour-blind.
Canning also uses the theme of colour-blindness in the story "Star stuff".
This Week Magazine, 24 March, 1957.