LESS UNREST.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 79, 2 March 1929, Page 15

LESS UNREST.

RABAUL NATIVE LABOUR. That tho unrest among tho natives at llabaul is dying down is indicated by the number of labourers who have recently signed on. Last "month 249 native labourers were signed on under indenture. In December the number was 206. Tire majority of cases were renewals of contract without any increase of pay. Most of the indentured labourers signed on at 7s. The Administrator has appointed Brigadier-General Griffiths a commissioner to inquire into the mass meeting and demonstration of natives that occurred at tho Malaguna mission station on January 2 and 3. Tho inquiry will be public. Th© policing of Rabaul town has been taken over by Inspector Taylor uad 12 European warrant officers, jthua

releasing tho volunteers from police duty. A further draft of native prisoners (ex-policemen) will bo despatched by tho Marsina to Kieta. The police report that the stopping of native football matches in Rabaul has left many of th© native labourers with nothing to do on Saturday afternoon and Sunday. A temporary football ground has been made, but the European • polico will control natives who assemble as spectators of tho game.