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Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1923, Page 2

Not long ago the cablegrams reported that the Indian Government was making a vigorous effort to stamp out slavery and human sacrifices among the Nngas on the north-eastern frontier of Burma. These are the amiable folk descrilx'd by Mr J. P. Mills in “The TJiota Nagas.” In the wild hill country that marches on Thibet dwell a people known generic-ally as the Nagas. Thcv are split up into numerous tribes, each differing curiously from the others in practices and characteristics. With some of it is a case of “manners none and customs nasty.” Others, among whom are the Lhotas. are by no means devoid of good qualities’. Thus. although the IJiotn is no Galahad, he does not imitate the -habitual unfaithfulness of the Ao, nor does ho, like the Serna, boast of his immoralities and decorate the grave of a defunct Don Juan with a tally of his liaisons. The Lhota is “probably no more cowardly than his neighbours.” In his domestic relationships ho is indifferent rather than actively cruel. True he will leave his aged parents to fend for themselves in what seems to the European a heartless fashion, hut lie does not go the length of the Ao, who turns them out of hearth and home “lest they should defile the house by dying in it.” Perhaps the Lhotas’ world trait i)s their amazing callousness where animals are concerned. They have a theory that these understand the difference between- right and wrong and punish them mcicilcsslc. Thus a monkey pulled a Uinta's hair. The l,hota promptly cut its hands off “as a punishment,” he said. The veterans look hack with regret fo the good old days when oxen, at a sacrifice were beaten to death with sticks, and when the valuable bail- of goats and dogs was plucked from the living beasts. Mr Mills tells us that the Lhotas have a very keenly developed sense of humour and are always Toady for a laugh. On the other hand, they cannot bear to bo laughed at. They are extraordinarily prone to commit suicide. Blighted lovers often seek surcease from their c-ares by killing themselves and Mr Mills has known a man hang himself because tho villarge ciders had finecl him a small sum which he could quite easily afford to pay. Mr Mills’ account of the Lhotas is most interesting, and in an intioduction Mr J. 11. Hutton draws attention to some odd resemblances between ho Nagas and certain trilies in the Philippines and Sumatra.

'Pick latest review of the European situation by Mr Lloyd George is a caustic criticism of the French attitude in regard to the German reparations. The ex-Primc Minister speaks oracularly, but it will not add to his popularity in France. All the same there as much obvious sense in his remarks which seem to cover the ground serj adequately. Probably Ministers m power have not the license if they had the courage to speak openly and fearlessly on the question at issue, so that Mi- Lloyd George appears to be performing a national service by being outspoken. We do not hesitate to believe that ho speaks the mind of what is the bulk of British opinion on the European problem. It is going on for five years since firing ceased, but it cannot be said that the war is over. France is more rampant than ever, and probably better prepared for war. Tho position promises to drift into a critical condition—and if so, France is well prepared. It is time Britain and the United States were closely associated and imposed an economic pressure on France which would have a deterring effect on the braggadocian attitude of Franco ai a time when more -practical measures are required if Europe is to he saved from lioisolf.