The Hawera Star. TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1932. SLAVERY IN LIBERIA.

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 24 May 1932, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1932. SLAVERY IN LIBERIA.

Delivered every evening by S o’olook in Hawera, Manaia, Kaupokonui, Otakeho, Oeo. Pitaama, Opunake, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Ngaere, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Te Kiri, Makoe, Lowgarth, Manutahi, Kakaramea, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Whenuakura, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara, Ohangai, Moremere, Fraser Road, and Ararata.

a, Two international commissions appointed by a committee of the League of Nations have established beyond dispute that slavery with all its evils prevails in the little negro republic of Liberia upon a scale of no small dimensions. A detailed scheme of rpform has been drafted and the question of an international loan asked for by the Liberian Government to enable it to do what has been suggested came up for final discussion by the Powers at a League of Nations meeting last week, according to cabled advice received yesterday, which stated that sanction for ■ a loan has been withheld until Liberia accepts the full plan of reform. It is now 110 years since Liberia was founded as a home for freed American slaves. The question of international action to put an end to slavery there has long been under discussion. A climax was reached in 1929 when the League of Nations took the matter in hand and an authoritative committee comprising Dr. Cutlibert Christy, Dr. Johnson and Sir Arthur Barclay went out to West Africa to investigate. This committee issued a report in the latter part of 1930 which showed that the situation was even wrnrse than had been supposed. A League of Nations committee on which the United States w r as represented went into the situation in the light of this report early in 1931. A body of highly qualified experts was sent to Liberia and dTew up a scheme of reforms. This scheme was sub- ■ mitted to the League of Nations committee. In the meantime the British, French and United States Governments have found it necessary to add to past protests by addressing fresh representations officially described as “urgent” to the Liberian Government in consequence of “the continued persecution of the Kru population by government forces.” The Ivrus are an industrious African race largely employed as sailors on European vessels trading along the Liberian coast. They are reasonably entitled to look for sympathy to the white men who employ them. There is no question of substituting European for Negro rule. On the other hand, civilisation is justly concerned with the abolition of conditions of slavery in a state set up for the express purpose of , affording freedom for slaves. It remains to be seen whether the withholding of 1 monies from the republic will cause the : black rulers to change their point of - view regarding the rights of a subject ' and oppressed people. \