AFFAIRS ON WALLIS ISLAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15524, 26 January 1911, Page 7

AFFAIRS ON WALLIS ISLAND.

A SERIOUS ACCUSATION. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, January 25. The Apia, Samoa, correspondent of the "Herald" writes:—The officers on the inter-island steamer which visits this port fully corroborate the statements recently made by Dr Borchard in Sydney as to the condition of affairs on Wallis Island, where the natives live in abject submission to the Marist priests. No act of the native authorities seems to he held as binding unless it has priestly approval. Every individual seems liable to any sort of punishment for offences •gainst priestly dignity. The passage of any of the priests along a. public road afoot, on horseback, or in one of their carriages is, according to the informant, a signal for every passenSer, of whatsoever degree, to rop on his knees, until the priest has safely passed along. Kowhere in the Pacific does there exist so ignorant a community, and it :s »aid to be the boast of the priests that they have purposely kept the people in ignorance, as in such a state they are more controllable. Wallis Island lies between Fiji, the Ellice Group, Samoa, and Tonga, all highly civilised countries; yet here, in the rery centre of a high degree of civilisation, exists this little community, boisterous, unlearned, and truculently savage. The natives of this community ■ themselves realise their abject condition, and they seize every opportunity to try and run away from their homes into a freer atmosphere. It is time, indeed, that this state of affairs should be rectified, and the people allowed some degree of liberty. .All religions except the Roman Catholic are forbidden on this island. Dr Borchard's efforts deserve success, and in the end the natives will doubtless sincerely thank him for his interference.