CLASHES FEARED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22426, 5 September 1947, Page 6

CLASHES FEARED

SOLOMONS UNREST NATIONALIST MOVES TROUBLE ON MALAITA SUVA, Aug. 28. The possibility of clashes between opposing factions in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate, following reports of the development of the “Marching Rule” movement into direct conflict with the Government, has resulted in the acting-Governor of Fiji and acting-High Commissioner tor the Western Pacific, Mr. J. F. Nicoll, leaving by air this morning for the Solomons to investigate. Reports have reached Fiji of the setting up of illegal, native courts and of refusal to recognise Government courts. There has also been cases of calculated defiance of district officers. The main disaffected area is North Malaita.

Mr. Nicoll will investigate the position. He proposes to study developments on the .' spot, and will decide, after consultation with the Resident Commissioner and his officers, what shohuld be done to meet the situation.

The 'Marching Rule" movement has a co'nfused nationalistic basis. Until recently it confined its positive action largely to an endeavour to secure, by boycott methods, much' higher wages from plantation owners. • There is opposition to the “Marching Rule” among some of the Solomon Islanders, and the possibility of clashes between opposing factions cannot be ignored.