NEW HEBRIDES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 201, 25 August 1931, Page 1

NEW HEBRIDES.

Administration Criticised by Bishop. PRISONERS ILL-TREATED. (Special to the “ Star.”) , AUCKLAND, August 25. Criticism of the condominium administration in the New Hebrides (joint rule by British and French) was voiced by Bishop Molyneux, of Melanesia, who arrived by the Niagara after completing an extensive tour of the island diocese. He said that news of the public execution by the French authorities of six Chinese at Vila reached him in Australia. He was horrified to read details concerning the use of a guillotine before an idle crowd of several hundred spectators. “ I have protested more than once concerning atrocities brought to my notice,” said Bishop Molyneux, “ and the news of the recent affair did not surprise me. I am sorry to say it is what one has beep led to expect from the French side of the Administration. “ I have myself seen on the island of Santo a gang of prisoners chained together, working under guards armed with the lash. The methods adopted by the French toward prisoners are totally different from those of the British.” VERY TRYING PERIOD. (Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, August 25. The Rev T. Bensley, attached to the Methodist Mission, arrived in Wellington by the Monowai. Mr Bensley is on a holiday for five months before returning to the Solomon Islands. He said that the natives in the Solomons, like everybody else, were going through a very trying period. The bottom had dropped out of the copra trade and the natives were finding it very difficult to pay the poll tax. Ivory nut and trochus shell w’ere also bringing very low prices. Mr Bensley says that the natives are in a very advanced state of civilisation, great progress having been made in recent years.