SOLOMON ISLANDS

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 October 1928, Page 3

SOLOMON ISLANDS

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY.

(Preßß ABBOoiation.)

AUCKLAND, October 1.

The Solomon Island murders committed some months ago, especially those of Captain Bell and Cadet Lillies and twelve native police, have been the subject of inquiry _ by Sir Harry Moorhouse, who arrived at Auckland by the Tofua to-day. „ He was sent out as Special Commissioner by the British Government, to ascertain whether there was any political reason behind the crimes. “And I came to the conclusion,’ he said, “that there was not.” It had been suggested in Australia that the murders were committed on account of the imposition of the native taxes, but he could say that the native taxes only formed a small part of the trouble. “If you have a grievance,” said Sir Harry Moorhouse, “the fact that you, have to pay a tax adds to it. We all find that.” The murders were purely a sporadic outbreak by the Sineiango tribe. It was a. matter of comment that a neighbouring tribe had paid the taxes two days before the murders were committed. Of the Sinerango tribe, 198 natives were rounded up. and when investigations were made, 24 of them stood their trial at Tulagi, the capital. Six were found guilty and hanged, while 18 others were sentenced to terms of imprisonment as accessories.