WALLIS ISLAND.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 21, 26 January 1911, Page 3

WALLIS ISLAND.

THE PRIESTS AND THE NATIVES. FBI TELEGRAPH-*BESS ASSOCIATION] . AUCKLAND, 25th JanuaryApia (bamoa) correspondent of the New Zealand Herald writes : "The officers of the inter-island steamer which visits tins p OT t fully corroborate llie statements recently made by Dr. Brochard m Sydney ac to 'the condition of aflairs on Wall* Island, where the na.tives live in abject submission to tho Marist pneete. No act of the native authorities seems to be held ac binding anlees it has priestly appioval. Every individual seems liable to any eoH of punishment for ofl'ences against priestly dignity. The passage of any of the priests along the public i-oad afoot, on horseback, or in one of their carriages is, according to the informant, a signal tor every passenger of whatsoever degree to drop on his knees until the priest iiav, sately passed along. Nowhere in the Pacific does there exist co ignorant a community, and it is said to be the boast of the priests that they have purposely kept she people in ignorance, as in such a 6tate they are more controllable. "Wallis Island lies between Fiji tho Ellice group, Samoa/ and Tonga) all highly civilised countries, yet here in the very centre of a high degree of civilisation exiets this little community boisterous, unlearned, and truculently savage. The natives themselvc. realise their abject condition, and seize every opportunity to J,ry and run away from their homes into a freer atmosphere. It is time, indeed, that this state of affairs should be rectified, and the people allowed some degree of liberty. All religions except Roman Catholic are forbidden on this- island. Dr Brodzard's efforts deserve cucccbb and in the end the natives will doubtless sincerely thank him for hie interference." LLasb month, Bishop Oher, head ot the South Seae Roman Catholic Missions, emphatically denied the allegations made by Dr. Brochard (who was French Commissioner) against the Marist fathers on Wallis Island. Dr. Olier further alleged that Dr. Brochard had been recalled, as the direct result of a petition from the native king to the French authorities. Dr. Brochard had started to annoy the priests as soon as he arrived, and had also attempted to have the Superior of the Marists deported, but failed.]