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Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1927, Page 2

A striking contrast to Sierra Leone is afforded by its eastern neighbour, of

which Lady Dorothy Mills lias written an account in “Through Liberia.” The, material that went to the formation of the Black Republic was the same, for Liberia was founded to provide a tliome for liberated slaves from America, and the general conditions arc similar. Yet, although Sierra Leone has bad its ups and downs, it is a flourishing community, whereas Liberia has lagged 'behind. The author does not disparage the country or its people. On the contrary, she is at pains to see the best of things. Nevertheless, the reader is left with an impression of stagnation and inertia. Perhaps the explanation of the difference between the two places is that Sierra Leone has, from the establishment of the colony, been administered by capable and experienced white officials. Liberia, on the other hand, had no trained personnel upon which fo draw. The ex-slaves were left to manage their own affairs, and could hardly ho expected to display an aptitude for self-government from tile outset. Thus “pidgin English” is the universal language of the lower classes: the author thinks it a pity that they are not encouraged to use a more orthodox and attractive tongue. There are no railways in Liberia, and only a few miles of good road. No attempt has been made to open up the interior; until recently the Government has set its face against visitors from abroad, and has denied them facilities for travel; presumably it was afraid of damaging revelations. A vicious system of requisitioning and porterage obtains. Government employees are supplied with free transport and commandeer food at discretion. 'I he result is that ordinary members of the public go short. Up country cannibalism is practised, and the Government has not been able to suppress it. There is an organisation called the I eopard Society, whose camiabalisiic proclivities are notorious. Its members, not only take life to satisfy their appetite for human flesh, hut they disinter and devour recently buried corpses. As a rule cannibalism has religious or superstitious associations, or ii is duo to scarcity of food. But in Liberia neither of those considerations apply. Ihe lorests have game in abundance, and Lady Dorothy Mills never heard the suggestion that in Liberia cannibalism bad any superstitious significance. Tie theory accepted there is that it is simply a perverted taste, a morbid craving. From this it will he gathered that in some respects Liberia is still rather primitive. But it is for many reasons an interesting country: Lady Dorothy Mills’ wanderings took her far from the beaten track, and have furnished her with material for a very readable hook.