FURTHER TROUBLE IN SOLOMONS ISLANDS

Grey River Argus, 2 June 1948, Page 5

FURTHER TROUBLE IN SOLOMONS ISLANDS

WELLINGTON, June 1. Conditions in the British Solomon Islands had deteriorated to such an extent as the result of disruptive labour influences, and encroachment by bush and white ants, that living there was more primitive than *in the early days of the white man, when cannibalism was an accepted practice. This opinion was expressed in an interview by Mr J. Stuart Mill, of the South Sea Evangelical Mission, a New Zealander, who has been engaged in missionary work in the Solomons for many years. With the refusal of the natives to work, except at exorbitant wages, the islands were economically at a standstill. He said there was no production of copra. Large trading firms were reluctant to return to re-estab-lish their business, and there was almost no sea or air transport. Food supplies were so short that it was a problem for Europeans to maintain themselves. Mr Stuart said a strong, influential movement called the Marching Rule had spread like wildfire, and stern measures had to be taken to combat it. Young fanatics of the movement had set up a spy system, and many individuals bar) with threats of imprisonment, fines, and even death. It had been planned to establish illegal courts, and when this was known.the leaders had been arrested, tried and imprisoned. An aircraftcarrier and four destrovers had visited the islands to show the flag. Eventually, he thmwht ■pent would rebound on the leaders and there would be a return to more "ormal .conditions, but at present there was only devastation.