The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1888. Man Stealing

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 147, 12 July 1888, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1888. Man Stealing

We have to record another instance of the protection and assistance given to slavers in the Pacific bj the English Government in the fact narrated by a telegram the other day which informed us that " while on her cruise H.M.S. Diamond was successful in punishing the natives at Pentecost Island who murdered Mr Walker while labor recruiting in January last." This innocent looking sentence means neither more nor less than H.M.S Diamond punished the inno- [ cent and the guilty with shot and shell, the burning of houses, and the slaughter of men, women, and children, because their husbands and fathers rose against a slave-dealer, who would tempt or steal them into a captivity which to them is worse than death, and slew him. At one time it was a cherished belief with us that the British flag carried with it freedom to the slave, and protection to the weak, but "Alas! for the change that nan come o'er the spirit of our drean>," all that is obliterated now. Our noble warships, manned with " hearts of British oak," protect the bodies and avenge the wrongs of the slave-dealer. How degraded must the officers aad men of these warships feel when sent to perform such dishonorable functions. How their chivalry must blush when, lying off one of the beautiful islands where these poor savages delight to pass their days in peace and lazy happiness ; in perfect immunity from danger of injury by wounds or contusions from the simple weapons of the helpless ones they are " punishing" with shot and shell, which may be cast at distances computed by miles. It seems cowardly to say the least of it. Not that the men are to blame. They and their officers but obey orders from their superiors, who require of them a decent "butcher's bill" to show some political friend, or opponent, to satisfy that almost insatiable appetite for blood which exists in those who directly or indirectly engage or are interested in the slave trade, no matter under what designation. We have said before, and say again, " It is a shame and a living disgrace that British arms should be prostituted to such base ends."