REPATRIATION OF KANAKAS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 19 January 1907, Page 3

REPATRIATION OF KANAKAS.

SCARCITY OF LABOUR^ IN ' I QUEENSLAND: .'. SERIOUS OUTLOOK IN : fHE. i; ISLANDS. • „ : [United Peess AssociationT— Cort- • RIGHT.] (Received 9.58-a.m.i BRISBANE, - Saturday! There is a great hsortage of labour in i the northern sugar fields, v An expert states that the weeds are flourishing in ' the cane fields ,and he predicts a shortage of from 40,000 to 5Q,000 tons in the next crushing season. '■ A gentleman connected with the I Kanaka Missions at the: Islands, in 'on interview, stated that affairs in." the islands wer in a distutb'ed state, especially at Malay ta, where' .there was more fighting amongst the' natives- than for some years. The. ./ contributing causes were witchcraft,' which, was widely practised, and tile return of the Islanders. Their compulsory return had revived old feuds-' and excited revenge. It was added- that unless the Island Government took steps to protect the* returned natives ' they would be forced back to the level of- their more savage compatriots. The present was a very critical time, and it remained to be seen who would get. the upper habd — the Government and tha semi-civilised natives or the old natives. If the latter succeeded many, of the former would be slain, especially if the Government were slow in jjrotecting them. Early 3n the present month the. warship Prometheus bombarded the village of Sinwa. .. T