Polygamy Question

In Trobriands

MRS. AMY LUMLEY, of the Trobriands during a recent visit to Australia was publicised as the champion of Mitakata, paramount chief of the Trobriands whose establishment of 23 wives is said to have incurred mission disapproval.

Mrs. Lumley had been quoted as saying that to reduce Mitakata to a single wife would be to lower his prestige among his people to that of any commoner. What is wrong for Europeans is not necessarily wrong for Islanders, she maintains, adding that there are also economic factors to consider.

Mrs. Lumley first arrived in Papua in 1900, when she was a girl of 16. Today, an influential trader, she has many villagers carving for her in the Trobriands. Recently she has been sending wood-carvings to the United States.

Her third husband died several years ago, and she has turned most of her business affairs over to two of her sons, Messrs. Ralph and

Percy Lumley.