NATIONALISM IN ISLANDS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29472, 25 March 1961, Page 12

NATIONALISM IN ISLANDS

Signs Seen By Bishop

(N.Z. Press Association) NAPIER. March 24. A strong nationalist feeling was evident in the Melanesian Islands north of New Zealand, as in other colonies in other parts of the world, the Bishop of Melanesia (the Rt. Rev. A. T. Hill) said in Napier today. “At present there is no ill-feeling, but no doubt we will have our occasions in the future when the native peoples will wish to assert themselves.” he said. Bishop Hill, who came to New Zealand for the General Synod at Nelson, is touring the country seeking "specialists who can help lead our peoples on the road to maturity and ultimately to independence.” He said there had been little ill-feeling in the islands since a short-lived anti-white movement shortly after the war.

Islanders were now found in legislative councils and in island councils, and in church and state Europeans and islanders worked in harmony. "The islanders are aware of what is going on in other colopies in other parts of the world, but I think they look to us to lead them through these difficult days.” he said. “It will be many years yet before they are ready for independence.’’