MARCHING RULE MOVEMENT IN SOLOMON GROUP

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 September 1947, Page 2

MARCHING RULE MOVEMENT IN SOLOMON GROUP

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. In view of what are officially regarded as misleading reports, published and circulated regarding the use of warships to deal with the activities of the Marching Rule movement in the British Solomon Islands protectorate, the acting-High Commissioner for the Western Pacific has issued the following statement: — “In consequence of a defiant atr titude 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 to the law-abiding part of the population and it was clear that a violent clash between the Marcliing Rule movement and the opposition would probably eventuate. These arrests have all been carried out by local administration without the incidents of violence. “In pursuance of the usual policy of showing the flag, H.M.A.S. Warramunga visited Honiara from September 3 to Septembei’ 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. In order to provide a steadying influence following 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 the 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 the restoring of confidence. In consequence, local administration was enabled to stabilise the'' position more quickly than otherwise would have been possible. “On September 10 and 11 the submarine Amphion. in the 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 aircraft-carrier Theseus, wearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Creasy and accompanied,, by the destroyer Cockade are at present passing through the Solomon Islands area m the course of their return to Hong Kong following their visit to Australia and New Zealand. It is emphasised that the mission of these warships was, and is, to show the flag only, and they will not be sen: there for punitive purposes. Latest reports show that the political situation in the Protectorate is improving satisfactorily.”