Solomons.

Libelling The

Newspaper Inaccuracies.

AUSTRALIAN newspapers seem deter mined to give their readers the im pression that the Solomon Islands in general, and Malaita in particular, is a huge hotbed of disease, from various forms of which none of the natives are immune. In giving an account of the appointment of Dr. F. A. McPherson to the position of resident medical officer to the Melanesian Mission at Malaita, the Melbourne “Argus” On April 24 com mented thus on the work he will have to undertake; With the combating of diseases introduced to the Solomon Islanders by white men as a large part of his work, Dr. F. A. McPher son is passing through Melbourne on his way to take up the position of resident medical officer to the Melanesian Mission in the Solomon Islands. Dr. McPherson, who is accompanied by his wife, arrived in Mel bourne yesterday from California (U.S.A.).

Dir. McPherson, whose appointment is for seven years, with the option of a continu ance of it at the end of that period, will work in a well-equipped hospital which was built recently at North Mala, an island in the Solomon group. The hospital, which has 60 beds, serves the natives of all the islands.

A Solomon Islands correspondent who is up in arms at what he calls this “community libel,” points out that this report is damaging as it lays the blame for nearly all the diseases from which Solomon Islands natives suffer, on Euro peans. His letter follows: Letter to the Editor.

In the Melbourne “Argus”, of April 25, there appears the following: “With the combating of diseases introduced to the Solomon Islands by white men as a large part of his work, Dr. F. A. Mc Pherson is passing through Melbourne on his way to take up the position of

resident medical officer to the Mela nesian Mission in the Solomon Islands.”

It would be interesting to know if this is a little touch of the reporter or Dr.

McPherson’s own statement.

Of late there has been a filthy stream of yellow journalism besmirching the residents of the Pacific, and it is high time some one was brought to account for such utterances.

If Dr. McPherson was led to believe such was the case when he accepted the appointment, he will know by now that he is the victim of some of the usual “sob stuff”.

If the statement is his own, then it would be interesting to know how the white man is responsible for sorelegs, tropical ulcers, hookworm, yaws, leprosy; the main diseases which fill any tropical hospital.

Yours, etc..

“Mala.”