THE MELANESIAN MISSION.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13901, 28 November 1910, Page 4

THE MELANESIAN MISSION.

SOME IMPORTANT CHANGES

THE ANGLO-FRKNCH CONVENTION.

BISHOP WILSON INTERVIEWED,

Bishop Wilson, of Melanesia, and Mrs Wilson and family, arrived in Christchuroh on Friday, and are stn>» «ng at Bishopecourt. Bishop Wilson intends resigning tho bishopric at the end of July next, if possible, or at the end of next year, and will remain in New Zealand till April nest. Most of the time he is in the Dominion liitlordship proposes to spend in Canterbury, and it is his intention to establish a fund for the purpose of purchasing for tht- mission two small schooners to cost about £1500 each, and half a dozen whale-boats. In an interview with a representative of ''The I re&>. Bishop Wilson explained the reason for his projected resignation, and also dealt with matters connected with the islands of Melanesia and the mission.

Tin- Melancsian Mission authorities, Bishop Wiii-.oii stated, had decided that the headquarters of the bishop of tho dioe.'KO should bo removed from Norfolk Island to one of the islands of Melanesia, Norfolk Island lyina SOO miles outside of the diocese. Consequently lie had decided to resign his po st > a,uJ a.s a man with a family could not possibly live on the Solomon Islands, owing to the unhealthy climate, it would necessary that an unmarried man, or one without a 113' family ties, should succeed him. His uncertainty as to when ho would resign was due to the fact that ho did not wish to relinquish his work till his successor is appointed. As to the reason for removing the headquarters of the Bishop of Melanesia, Bishop "Wilson said that in tht> old days when the islands of Melanesia wore very uncivilised, with, no steamer communication with the outer world, it was found convenient to take tluv "hoys" from the islands and train them at Norfolk Island. Now, the circumstances were entirely changed, am] three fttearners run regularly from Sydney to tho different groups; consequently there was not the slightest reason why tlie training colleges should not bo on some of tho islands of the Melnnesian groups, and tho stores brought from Sydney. Bis Lordship desired it made plain, however, that the present school on Norfolk Island would bo maintained for some time yet; it had not been definitely decided to give up that school though it would be decided at a confe.rcueo to be held at tho Solomon Islands in May next. When he resigns the bishopric, his lord.ship will have completed seventeen years' work amongst the Tslnnders. He thought that they were better in every way as tho result of the mission, hut he felt that a younger and fresher man .should now be sent to take charge of tho work.

.Regarding the Anslo-Freneh Convention in the New Hebrides, hi.s Lordship indicated that it had i 4 ot had the rosiilts that lie, as one of those who supported it at the thno it was entered upon, expected. '"I suppose," he said, "wo must attribute its failure to the impossibility of two great nntions taking control of one small group of islands. I give credit to the authorities for doing all in their power, but it sconiß to mc that an impossible task has been imposed upon them, and that the convention is absolutely unworkable. It ensures to the white men the possession of the lands bought by them from the natives, but, as regards protecting tho natives, it is absolutely unworkable. In almost every case, the native i.s bottom dog, and it is very seldom that n native who has been kidnapped has been restored to his home." His liordship added that whilst one of tho objects and intentions of tho convention was to put down grog selling and kidnapping, both evils were as bad, if not worse, than over at the present time. Those wishing to recruit labourers found it necessary io induce quarrels amongst tho natives, and this was done by supplying them with grog. Consequent on the demand for labour, tho islands were gradually being depopulated : villages that a. few years ago had 100 inhabitants now had'only twenty. In the Now Hebrides the natives found it extremely difficult, and in some cases impossible, to net their wrongs righted. On tho other hand, on tho Solomons, which are under British protection, Mr C. N. Woiidford, the British lte.sident, metes out justice to native and white man alike; thero is no grog sold and the sale of firearms and ammunition is forbidden.