‘Treason Felony’
p. 12 · Read in the full issue
Case In the Solomons
From Our Own Correspondent
Honiara, Oct. 1.
AVERY remarkable case came before the Judicial Commis sioner here recently, when a Solomon Islands native. Aerial Siseli, was found guilty of treason felony and sentenced to hard labour for 12 years.
It appears that this native was instrumental in publishing what he called the “Malaita Declaration of Independence,” which appeared to be based on the American Declara tion of Independence. , If the prosecution had taken the course usual in such cases, the native would have been guilty of high treason, which carries the death penalty. Apparently it was felt that this ignorant man did not really know what he was doing and that, in any event, his activities were not likely to destroy the BSI Government; and so the charge was made one of treason-felony—a new kind of crime which does not ne cessarily carry the death penalty.
There has been a good deal of restlessness and discontent among the natives of the Solomons since the war. It took serious shape at one time in what was called the Marching Rule Movement —but this was broken up by vigorous official action.
These natives are mostly illiterate —many have a smattering of mis sion education. The importance of their political activities can quite easily be exaggerated—in fact, it has been exaggerated to a ridiculous degree by inexperienced writers in Australian newspapers.
A well-directed native policy would probably remove the causes of discontent; and it is hoped that this will be provided under the pro posed new regime in the Solomon Islands.