MASSACRE IN THE SOLOMONS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 16, 13 October 1927, Page 11

MASSACRE IN THE SOLOMONS

PROBABLE CAUSE NOT CONCERTED RISING AGAINST WHITES Sydney, October 12.. In connection with the massacre in the Solomon Islands a cable message received from the chairman of Messrs. Levers’ Pacific Islands Plantations states that Sir. Bell’s party was massacred while collecting taxes. He surmises that Mr. Bell and the cadet Lillies, with a partv of native police, following their usual customs, erected a tent on the beach where the natives made the pavnients due. It is supposed that some hillmen failed to come in. The partv then proceeded inland, and one of the native police went ahead. The natives, resenting the collection, struck and killed him. It would oe in accord with native character that the rest of the advance party should be set upon and killed, and when Mr. Bell and the rest came up they, too, were killed. The informant adds: “I do not think there was any concerted rising against the whites or the Government. The native poll-tax has been in operation for some years. It has always been difficult to collect on Malaita.” The chairman thinks it will be very difficult to get into touch with the natives concerned in the outrage. Their country is very mountainous and heavilv timbered. The missionaries express similar views and hope that no reprisals will be taken. x MURDER OF CHINESE REPORTED (Rec. October 12, 5.5 p.m.) Suva, October 12. There is no further news of the massacre at the Solomon Islands. It is significant that a mail from there today reports the murder of a Chinese by a Malaita labourer on another island by cutting his throat and other injuries ; also a fatal attack by a Malaita labourer on a white overseer on a lonely island; and a third case, which did not end fatally, was that of a Malaita labourer who bit the hand of his employer. The latter lost a finger. Settlers urge that an investigation is imperative. NO CAUSE FOR ANXIETY (Rec. October 12, 7.50 p.m.) Sydney, October 12. Messrs. Burns, Philp, and Company have received a message from theii manager, Mr. Burns Philp, at Tulagi, stating that apparently the report regarding a natives’ rising had been greatlv exaggerated. The position at Guadalcanar and other places was perfectly normal, and there was nc cause for anxiety.