UNREST IN SOLOMON ISLANDS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 14481, 29 September 1947, Page 3

UNREST IN SOLOMON ISLANDS

MARCHING RULE MOVEMENT

Use of Warships Explained

Arrests Effected Without Violence

(P.A.) Wellington, Sept. 25. In view of the misleading reports which are being published and circulated regarding the use of warships in connection with the measures which are being taken to deal with the activities of the Marching •Rule Movement in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate, the Acting High Commissioner for the Western Pacific issues the following statement:—

In consequence of a defiant attitude on the part of the leaders of the Marching Rule Movement with the announced intention of causing disturbances, it became necessary to effect the arrest of certain of these leaders. Their activities were upsetting the law-abiding part of the population, and it was clear that a violent clash between the Marching Rule Movement and its opposition would probably eventuate. These arrests have all been carried out by the local administration without any incidents of violence. In pursuance of the usual policy of showing the flag, H.M.A.S. “Warramunga” visited Honiara from the 3rd to the 6th September in the course of a routine cruise which was arranged some months ago and which had no relation to the activities of the Marching Rule Movement. In order to provide a steadying influence following the period when most of the arrests mentioned above were carried out, arrangements were made for H.M.S. “Contest” (destroyer) to visit Malaita where the Marching Rule Movement is largely concentrated, on the 4th September and to remain in the area until the 15th September.

Although the “Contest”, took no part in the arrests of the leaders her presence was most useful, and in particular the admirable and tactful bearing of her officers and ratings contributed substantially to restoring confidence. In consequence the local administration was enabled to stabilise the position more quickly than would otherwise have been possible. On the 10th and 11th September the submarine H.M.S. “Amphion”, in the course of a routine cruise, paid a brief visit to Santa Ana, a small island with a population of about three hundred people situated in the south-east of the Protectorate.

The aircraft carrier H.M.S. “Theseus”, wearing the flag of Rear Admiral Creasy and accompanied by the destroyer H.M.S. “Cockade” are at present passing through the Solomon Islands area in the course of their return to their' base at Hong-Kong following a visit to Australia and New Zealand. It is emphasised that the mission of these warships was and is to show the flag only and that they were not sent there for- punitive purposes. As has been stated, the arrests of certain Marching Rule leaders have been carried out entirely by the resources of the local administration and that no violent incidents occurred.

The latest reports show that the political situation in the Protectorate is improving satisfactorily.