THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17228, 7 April 1930, Page 11

THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

EDUCATION OP NATIVES

INDUSTRIES & ADMINISTRATION

A few degrees south of the Equator in the, western part of the Pacific Ocean is a group of islands, with a native populal ion of about 200,C00 and a, white population of approximately 500, known as Ihe Solomon group. Dr, C. E. box, Lilt.|l., an ex-Gisbornite, who has been leaching at a mission school in San Cristoval, one of the principal islands of the group, for 29 years, gave some interesting information about life and conditions m the islands to a representative of the Christchurch Press. The islands are well watered, heavily wooded with dense vegetation, and are mountainous. The mountains range up to 9000 ft. in height, and there is practically no Hat land. A Roman Catholic was established in 1846, hut. the bishop was murdered and two of the priests killed and eaten, so that they were forced to retire after sfx years. They established another mission in 1910, and htive done splendid work.

The Church of England mission was founded in 1850. and about 20,000 of tlie Christians avo Church of England. There is also a Baptist mission, known as the South Seas Evangelical Mission, working in Malaita, and a New Zealand Wesleyan mission working in the western part of the group, both of which are doing splendid work. Altogether there are almut 30.00 Q Chiistians among the population.

ADMINISTRATION 'OF THE GROUP. The islands are controlled by the Governor of Fiji, who also holds the office of High Commissioner for the Western Pacific. There is a District Commissioner at the chief town, and each isjaiul has its district officer. The district officer may give up to six months imprisonment, may impose fines, or occasionally order a Hogging. Many of the natives consider that the establishment of gaols is the best thing that tho Government lias done. EDUCATION OF THE NATIVES. The Government takes no part in educating, the natives, and this is clone entirely by the missions. The standard of education is elementary. The senior classes consist of 'yivs from between 17 and 21 years, and when they leave they have about the same general knowledge as a hoy in Standard V would have m New Zealand. English is taught with the help of the gramophone method, but progress is very gradual. Pidgin English is spoken throughout the group, as there are too many native dialects lor one to become common throughout the group. In addition, the schoolboys arc instructed in first aid and sanita turn, and are taught how to make rope from the hemp which grows on the islands. The Government imposes a poll tax of £l, in some cases less, on every mole between the uges of 16 find 60, and about £6OOO a year is produced from this. The Government is doing medical work among the natives, but so far has only two doctors working among 200,000 people. The best work it lias done is in connection with the plantations. The Government inspectors made periodical visits to all tho plantations and see that the natives are properlv looked after and receive thenwage of 5s per week regularly. Ihe Government is also trying to establish a leper island, on which all the lepeis, about 70 in number, will be placed.

THE INDUSTRIES OF THE GROUP. Copra growing is the chief industry of the islands, and the price of copra is ever the important topic of conversation. Several of the largo plantations nro owned by Lever Bros. In one ot the islands a company has started cutting kauri, which is practically the same as that grown in New Zealand, and exporting it to Australia. At one time bananas were exported to Australia, but the heavy duties imposed killed trade. They could not compete with the Queensland bananas, which wore duty free. New Zealand as a market was 100 fur away Cotton and rubber pianist mils have also been tried, but niet with no success, owing to labor difficulties. CHARACTER OF THE NATIVES. The natives are Melanesians, and are slow, reliable, and good workers. Since the lighting among tribes lias stopped, they have been left somewhat lazy and without much interest in life. limy are peaceful now, and there tuts not been an instance, ot ciiiiiiihalisiiy since IJ.l—• Their arts ahd crafts have died out since (he introduction of cheap goods made in Birmiiidiam. Also since Christianity has come the old religious rites, dunces, and feasts have been almost entirely abandoned. Now that nearly all the native customs have died out, cricket, football, and otlmr games are encouraged to give the natives an interest in life. Although they aro subject, to British government, they are not British subjects, and have no rights as such. Legally they are persons muter British protection.—■ Christchurch Press.