Great Britain, in an effort to stem the mounting tide of savagery, declared a Protectorate in 1893 over the Southern Solomons, comprising Guadalcanal, Savo, Malaita, San Cristobal and the New Georgia group. In 1898 and 1899 the islands of the Santa Cruz group were added to the Protectorate, and in 1900 the islands of the Shortland groups, Santa Isabel, Choiseul and Ontong Java were transferred by treaty from Germany to Great Britain. The copra industry began in 1908, three years after the last worker had been returned from the overseas plantations. The acreage under coconuts continued to expand until the price of copra fell in the early nineteen-twenties. The greater part of the copra produced was in the hands of companies, at least until the Japanese invasion in 1942. The copra industry made a special mark on social life in those parts of the Solomons which provided the labour for the plantations. Young men began to regard it as natural to go away for a couple of years at a time, to earn money and bring back trade goods for their family in the villages, and this became part of family life. The effect of the spread of Christianity and desire for gainful employment was to check inter-clan warfare and raids on other villages and islands. Missionary societies started schools and began to teach some of the boys various trades; efforts were also made to teach hygiene in the home and child welfare. The 1914-18 war had no effect on the islands, but in 1942 there came invasion, occupation by the Japanese, counter-attack and battle, air-raids, and finally occupation by United States and Allied forces. For nearly three years there had been a state of havoc, fear, and uncertainty, and added to this the revelation of material resources such as the Solomon Islanders had never seen before. The loyalty of the islanders was remarkable. Many joined the Defence Force, the combat unit of the Protectorate that took part in active battle, often in the spearhead of the attack where they were employed as guides, or in patrolling behind the enemy lines. They earned military distinction and a number of decorations. In the areas occupied by the enemy, Government headmen carried on, protecting British coast-watchers from capture, rescuing allied airmen shot down behind enemy lines and helping them when the American and British forces landed. During the war a political movement, known as Marching Rule, started in Malaita, and for over eight years its leaders endeavoured to dominate native affairs in Malaita while their influence spread to other parts of the Protectorate. At the outset the movement preached a policy of improved agriculture, concentration into large villages and non-co-operation with Government and missionary societies. These teachings were coupled with a policy of fostering rumours of an earthly paradise to come, rumours which were earnestly believed and which formed part of the psychological background of the movement. The year 1952, however, saw a decided lessening of the political tension which had handicapped development and administration during the post-war years. Strenuous efforts to bring about a rapprochement between the Government and the leaders of Marching Rule on Malaita culminated in the formation of a properly organised Council for the whole of Malaita for the first time. The Malaita people, through their representatives on this Council, like the people of other islands, now have a considerable amount of responsibility for the management of their own local affairs. Similar local government councils were established in the years immediately following the war, and the number was gradually increased until in 1966 the whole Protectorate except Tikopia and Anuta was covered by these councils, all the members of which are elected by universal adult suffrage. With the reconstitution of the Honiara Town Council in 1969, and the amalgamation of the five Western District Councils into one Council in 1971, there are now eighteen councils established under the Local Government Ordinance, which was enacted in 1963. A further review of local governmental organization and responsibility is in progress. CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT Until 1960 the High Commissioner was assisted by an Advisory Council. In 1960 a Constitution was introduced which provided for the establishment of a Legislative Council and an Executive Council, the members of which were appointed by the High Commissioner. A revised Constitution was introduced in 1964 providing that the Legislative Council should consist of 3 ex officio members, 8 official members, 8 elected members and 2 nominated members. Seven of the elected members were elected through electoral colleges composed of elected members of the Local Councils in each constituency; in Honiara, election was direct. The Constitution was revised again in 1967 and from then until its dissolution in March 1970, the Legislative Council consisted of 14 elected members, 3 ex-officio members and 12 public service members. By an Order-in-Council of 24th March 1970 a new Constitution was established in accordance with proposals which were approved by the Legislative Council in June 1969. It provides for an elected majority in a single Governing Council combining legislative and executive functions and exercising executive control through a series of functional committees. A general election under the new Constitution was held from April to June 1970. Direct elections were held in all but one constituency where owing to the difficulty of communications election was by an electoral college. The new Governing Council which consisted of 17 elected members, 3 ex-officio members and up to 6 public service members, met for the first time in July 1970. The public service members were removed by the end of 1971. A Select Committee of the Governing Council to consider the question of further constitutional changes was appointed at the end of 1971, and reported in November 1972; its recommendations, which will lead to a ministerial system, were endorsed in July 1973 with few amendments by the newly enlarged Council, including 24 elected members who had just been returned at a General Election with no indirect procedures. LAND POLICY Land policy is concerned with land under unregistered alienation, land owned in accordance with local customary law, and land registered under the Land and Titles Ordinance, which may be subject to perpetual or fixed term estates, leases, easements, profits à prendre, restrictive covenants or charges. Public land is administered to ensure a balanced development in town areas and its best economic usage in the rural areas. Large areas of the Guadalcanal Plains have been leased for agricultural development by overseas capital investment. Forest policy is aimed at both the establishment of a permanent forest estate and the economic development of forest resources by private enterprise and was the subject of examination by a Select Committee of the Legislative Council during 1968, culminating in the preparation and approval of a White U* Paper on Forest Policy. The Forests and Timber Ordinance 1969 which came into effect on 1st October 1970 brought virtually all commercial timber working under licensing control and introduced a new "Timber Levy" tax payable on all timber exported, and on milled timber sold in the country. Simultaneously export duty on timber was revoked. Land held under customary tenure, which comprises by far the greatest part, may be subject to control of user where valuable natural assets need protection and there is a statutory bar to the acquisition of land so owned other than by the Government or by Solomon Islanders. Registration of land previously held under customary tenure with consequent tenure conversion has begun and will gradually extend through areas subject to economic development where the owners wish it. All mineral rights in the islands are reserved to the Government. Prospecting and mining are subject to control under modern mining legislation which was revised in 1968. Land privately owned by non-Solomon Islanders is also being brought on to the Land Register under transitional provisions in the land legislation which contain an element of compulsion. Use of such land is subject to the same controls for the protection of valuable natural assets as land under customary ownership. THE GOVERNING COUNCIL (as at December 31st 1973) The High Commissioner for the Western Pacific: EX OFFICIO MEMBERS COMMITTEES OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL The Commerce and Industry Committee Mr J. H. P. Page (Roviana and Rendova) Elected Member Mr S. Cheka (South Guadalcanal, Rennell and Bellona) Eelected Member The Communications and Works Committee Dr G. A. P. Zoleveke, MBE (Choiseul) Chairman The Local Government Committee Mr S. S. Mamaloni (West Makira) Chairman The Natural Resources Committee Mr P. S. Funifaka (Lau and Mbaelelea) Chairman Mr B. Kinika (East Makira) Elected Member The Social Services Committee Mr W. Betu (West Isabel) Chairman Mr G. L. Ngumi (Gizo, Ranongga, Simbo and Kolomban) Elected Member The Finance Committee The Financial Secretary Chairman CIVIL ESTABLISHMENT (as at 31st December 1973) (For Secretariat see under Western Pacific High Commission) British Solomon Islands Annual Report 1972 HMSO. London 1973. FIRTH, Raymond. Social Change in Tikopia. Allen & Unwin, 1959. Fox, C. E. Story of the Solomons. Taroaniara, BSI. Diocese of Melanesia GUTCH, Sir J. Martyr of the Isles, London, Hodder and Stoughton, 1971. HORTON, D. C. The Happy Isles-a Diary of the Solomons. London, KENT, J. The Solomon Islands, Newton Abbot, David and Charles, 1972. SCARR, Deryck. Fragments of Empire: A History of the Western Pacific SHARP, A. The Discovery of the Pacific Islands. Oxford, Clarendon Press, STRUBEN, R. Coral and Colour of Gold. London, Faber, 1961. WHITMORE, T. C. Guide to the Forests of the British Solomon Islands. THE ANGLO-FRENCH CONDOMINIUM OF THE NEW HEBRIDES The New Hebrides lie in the south-west Pacific between 13° and 21° S. and 166° and 171° E., forming an irregular Y-shaped chain of islands with a total land area of about 5,700 square miles. They were named the New Hebrides in 1774 by Captain Cook. There are in the group some 65 inhabited islands and islets, the larger of which are Espiritu Santo, Malekula, Efate, Ambrym, Tanna, Erromango, Epi, Aoba, Pentecost and Maewo. A survey of the population of greater Vila on 31 December 1972 indicated a total Vila population of 12,715. A second town known as Santo or Luganville, with an urban population of 2,556 and a peri-urban population of 2,682, is situated on the island of Espiritu Santo (1967 census). The islands are of coral and volcanic origin with active volcanoes on Tanna, Lopevi and Ambrym. They are almost without exception mountainous, Santo Peak and Tabwemesana on Santo rising to over 6,000 feet. The group is generally well watered. The climate is oceanic tropical and moderated by the south-east trade winds which blow between the months of May and October. During the remainder of the year winds are variable and hurricanes may occur. High humidity occasionally leads to enervating conditions. Temperatures at Vila vary between 16°C (60°F) and 33°C (92°F) and average rainfall ranges from about 90 inches in the south to 150 inches in the north, with a mean figure of 91 inches for Vila. A general census was carried out in 1967. The total population was 77,988, made up as follows: New Hebrideans 72,243; Other Melanesians 426; Polynesians and Micronesians 1,270; Europeans 1,773; Part-European 1,151; Vietnamese 397; Chinese 252; Others 476. Amongst the non-New Hebridean population there were 3,840 French citizens and 1,631 British subjects. The population at 31st December 1972 was estimated to be 89,031. Many languages and dialects are spoken; most belong to the Melanesian family and are related to those of Fiji and New Caledonia. Bislama is the lingua franca. English and French are the official languages. The Anglican, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic Churches began missionary work in the New Hebrides in the 19th century. In this century other religious bodies, including the Seventh Day Adventists have become active in various parts of the Group. At present the Presbyterian Church of the New Hebrides has the largest number of adherents with the Anglican and Catholic Churches coming next. All the religious denominations provide educational facilities in co-operation with Government and several of them have made and continue to make important contributions to health services. Malaria is the most serious endemic disease, and hookworm infections and anaemia are common causes of debility. With WHO assistance the Joint Administration is at present conducting a campaign to control tuberculosis by (a) case finding and (b) B.C.G. vaccination. By the end of 1967 all the population had been vaccinated at least once. Operations have been extended into maternal and child health and vaccinations against whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus. The French Government maintains hospitals at Vila, Santo, Tonga, at Malekula and Tanna staffed by French army doctors. The British Government maintains rural clinics and dispensaries in the outer islands staffed by Medical Officers, |