WARSHIPS SENT TO SOLOMONS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25300, 27 September 1947, Page 2

WARSHIPS SENT TO SOLOMONS

«USUAL POLICY OF SHEWING FLAG” DEFIANT ATTITUDE OF NATIVE PARTY (P.A.) WELLINGTON, September 20. In view of what are officially regarded as misleading reports published and circulated about the use of warships to deal with the activities of the Marching Rule Movement in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate, the ActingHigh Commissioner for the Western Pacific has issued 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 parts of the population, and it was clear that a violent clash between the Marching Rule Movement and the opposition would probably eventuate. These arrests have all been .carried out by the, local administration without incidents of violence.

“In pursuance of the usual policy of showing the flag, H.M.A.S Warramunga visited Honiara from September 3 to September 6 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. “To provide a steadying influence after the period when most of the arrests mentioned above were carried out, arrangements were made for the destroyer Context to visit Malaita, where the Marching Rule Movement is largely concentrated, on September 4 and remain until September 15. ‘Although Context took no part in the arrests of the leaders her presence was most useful, and, in particular, the admirable and tactful bearing of the 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 September 10 and 11. the submarine Amphion, in Hhe course of a routine cruise, paid a brief visit to Santa Ana. a small island with a population of about 300, situated south-east of the protectorate. The aircraftcarrier Theseus, wearing the flag of Rear-Admiral G. E. Creasy, accompanied by the destroyer Cockade, is at present passing through the Solomon Islands area in the course of returning to Hong Kong after a visit to Australia and New Zealand "It is emphasised that the ’ mission of these warships was and is to show tne flag only, and they were not sent there for punitive purposes. Latest reports show that the political situation in the protectorate is improving satis-