THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 April 1930, Page 8

THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

EDUCATION OV NATIVES.

INDUSTRIES AND ADMINISTRATION.

A few degrees south of the Equator in the western part of the Pacific Ocean is a group of islands with a native population of about 200,000 and a white population of approximately 500, known as the Solemn group. Dr C. E. Fox, Lftt.D., who was educated at Napier Boys’ High School and dockland University College, has been teaching at a mission school in San Cristoval one of the principal islands of the group, for 20 yeans, and recently he gave some interestng information about life and conditions in the islands to a representative of “The Press.”

NATURE ON THE ISLANDS

The islands are well watered, heavily wooded with dense vegetation, and are mountainous. The mountains range up to £OO3 feet in height, and there is practically no flat- land. The group was first discovered by the Spaniards in 1590 and a few years later they established a colony there. Th s settlement did not last long, however, and within a short, time the colonist's cither were all killed by the natives or they died off. From 1830 to 1850

British whalers called at San Cristoval regularly to careen their ships.

ESTABLISHMENT OF MISSIONS

A Roman Catholic Mission was established in 1840, but the Bishop was murdered and two of the priests killed and eaten, so that they were forced to retrie after six years. They established another mission in 1910 and have done spu-ndid work. Die Church of England Mission was founded in 1850, and about 20,000 of the Christians are Church of England. There is also a Baptist Mission, known as the South Seas Evangelical Missions working in Maltaita, and a New Zealand Wesleyan Mission working in the

western part of the group, both of which are doing splendid work. Altogether there are about 35,OOO.CJiristians among the population.

ADMINISTRATION OF THE GROUP

The islands are controlled by the Governor of Fiji .who also holds the office of High Commissioner, for the Western Pacific. There is a District Commissioner at the chief town ,and each island has its district officer. The district office’ - my give up to six months’ imprisonment, may impose fines, or occasionally order a flogging. Most of the crimes consist of adultery theft and murder being practically unknown. Serious offenders are sent to the capital, where there is a resident Judge and a proper gaol. The smaller offences are dealt with by the district officers. There is no stigma attached to being nut in gaol, as the prisoners are well fed, well looked after, and the work is light. .Many of the natives consider that the establishment of gaol is the best thing that the Government has done. At one time all loin,cloths worn by prisoners in gaol were marked with a broad arrow. This new fashion pleased the natives immensely, and on being released eacli prisoner made a point of stealing as many loin cloths as possible. It was considered the height of fashion to be seen wearing a loin cloth marked with an arrow, so the practice of marking them was discontinued.

EDUCATION OF THE NATIVES

The Government takes no part in educating the natives, and this is done entirely by the missions. The standard of education is elementary. The senior classes consist of hoys from between 17 and 21 years, arid when they leave they have about the same general knowledge as a boy in Standard V. would have in New Zealand. English is taught with the help of the gramophone method, but progress is very gradual. Pidgin English is spoken throughout the group, as there are too many native dialects for one to become common throughout the group. In addition the schoolboys are instructed in first aid and sanitation, and are taught how to make rope ifrom the hemp which grows on the islands.

WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT

The Government imposes a poll tax of £l, in some cases less, on every male between the age of l(i and GO, and about £9OOO a year is produced from this. The Government is doing medical work among the natives, but so far have only two doctors working among 200,000 people. The best work it has done is in connection with the plantations. The Government inspectors make periodical visits to all the plantations and see that the natives are properly looked after and .receive their wage of 5s per week regularly. The Government is also trying to establish a leper island, on which all the lepers /about 70 in number, will be placed .

THE INDUSTRIES OF THE GROUP

Copra growing is the chief industry of the islands, and the price of copra is ever the most important topic of

'■onversation. Several of lyhe largo plantations are owned by Lever Rros. 1 n mm of the islands a company has started cutting kauri, which is practically the same as that grown, in Now Zealand .and exporting it to Australia At one time bananas were exported to

Australia, but the heavy - duties im loosed killed trade. They could, not compute with the Queensland bananas, which were duty free. New Zealand as a market was too far away. Cotton and rubber plantations have also been tried, but met with no success owing to labour difficulties.

CHARACTER OF THE NATIVE

The natives are Melanesians, and are slow, reliable, and good workers. Since the'fighting among tribes has stopped they have been left somewhat lazy 'and without much interest in life. They are peaceful now, and .there has not been an instance cf cannabalism since 1912. Their arts and crafts have died out since the introduction of cheap goods made in Birmingham:'Also since. has come the- old religious rites, dances, and feasts have been almost entirely abandoned. It used to be the custom at a feast for an orator '■n waUv up and down and'harangue the crowds, and at the end of his speech he would leave money with the chief. Thus the orators paid the aduierice for listening, and the audience did not pay to hear the speaker. Now that nearly all the native customs have died out cricket, football, and other games are encouraged to give the natives an interest in life. Although they are stibiect to British government they are not British subjects and have no rights as such. Legally they are persons under British protection.