Sorcery Increases in N

N. Caledonia Shortage of Doctors Held Responsible

From Our Own Correspondent

Noumea, Mar. 27.

SINCE the war, New Caledonian bush areas have suffered from a serious shortage of doctors — a shortage accompanied by an increase in native witch - doctoring.

Like those of the Solomons and the New Hebrides, although somewhat more civi lised and advanced, New Caledonia’s Melanesian population, particularly in regions where there is little control, fre quently have resource to the local sorcerer whom they call their “takata” —a corrup tion of the European word “doctor,”

In a recent Assembly debate, the Rev.

Pere Bussy described the situation as “a formidable outbreak of witch-doctoring.”

He said it was indispensable that all tribes should be regularly visited by French doctors. These sorcerers were not healers and young children were dying in the tribes.

M. Monin, a colonist from Ponerihouen (east coast) which has a comparatively dense native population, said that there was much mortality due to witch doctor ing in his area. He quoted the case of one sorcerer who had been found by a doctor illegally treating people at Hou ailou.

Confirmation was provided by speakers from other districts, and it was agreed that the question should be studied and a real native policy formulated.

The Secretary-General (M. Bourgeau) explained that, although the illegal prac tice of medicine was in principle forbidden, it was difficult to say to what point one could honour the activities of the “takata” with such a charge, which would have to be proved in each separate case.

The French Courts themselves were not competent to handle charges of this nature. Native Courts having power to suppress such practices did not exist in New Caledonia. Up to now nothing had been done in this direction, and the only way had been to take administrative action to control such abuses.

Shortage of Police Also

WARTIME New Caledonia has been suffering from a shortage of gen darmes also.

In 1939 the gendarmerie roster was 61; to-day it is only 40. This is because 18 gendarmes, under their chief, Captain Jacomme, refusing to take orders from anyone but Vichy, long ago marched through Noumea and boarded the “Pierre Loti” for Indo-China.

They must have lived to regret their attitude—probably to-day some of them are helping to fight the Japanese in the

upland regions of Tonkin.

The Colony, at this writing, awaits the arrival of a captain of gendarmerie and 16 gendarmes from France to make up the strength.