INTERNATIONAL CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 282, 28 November 1929, Page 23

INTERNATIONAL CASE.

BRITISH SUBJECT ARRESTED. GAOLED BY COLONIAL FRENCH. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SUVA, November 13. A case which is causing considerable comment has occurred where a British subject named Gabriel Stevens, born in Rotuma, and until recently a Customs officer in Suva, has been conveyed to New Caledonia from Futuna and there sentenced to three years' gaol. Some months ago two leading chiefs of Rotuma, accompanied by others, came to Suva and bitterly complained of the manner in which they were being treated by traders calling at their island. They stated that a sulu (or loin cloth) of two fathoms cost £1, and a box of matches 1/, and so on. They tried to get a local man to take a trading schooner to Futuna, and promised him all their copra, they wished to get better terms for their people. The deal fell through, but Stevens, who was to act for the expedition as interpreter, went back with the chiefs, who are known as the Kings of Sigave and Alo. Later news came that the French warship Cassiopee had been sent to Futuna; then news came that the two kings and Stevens had been taken to New Caledonia, because they had been buying copra and "paying" for it with 1.0.U.'s —quite like modern financiers. The local Catholic priest acts as Administrator in Futuna, and he took action. The last report has just arrived stating that the two kings who had induced Stevens to join them in their rash venture had with him been sentenced to three years, and a further term of exile from Futuna for another three years. There seems to be little doubt that the natives had reason for being discontented with the treatment meted out to them. This does not seem to have been taken into consideration when they received sentence.