THE PROBLEM OF COMPULSORY LABOUR I2i 
population with fresh provisions, and the other is to 
maintain roads through the forest ; and both of these \ 
become proportionately more difficult where the 
population is thin and the distances great. I speak 
from experience. What trouble I have to secure 
food for my two assistants and for those of the sick in 
my hospital who live too far away to get what is 
necessary sent to them regularly from home ! There 
come times when I have to resort to compulsory 
measures, and say that every one who comes for treat- 
ment must bring a contribution of so many bananas 
or manioc sticks. This leads to endless wranglings 
with the patients, who say either that they do not 
know about the order, or that they have not enough for 
themselves. Of course, I do treat the serious cases 
and those who come from long distances, even if they 
have not brought the modest tribute demanded, but, 
however strongly I insist on this contribution being 
made, it does sometimes happen that I have to send 
sick people away because I no longer have the means 
of feeding them. The head of the mission station, 
who has to provide food for the loo or 150 children 
in the school, is sometimes in the same position, and 
the school has to be closed, and the children sent home, 
because we cannot feed them. 
The labour levies and the food requisitions naturally 
affect chiefly the villages which lie nearest the white 
settlements. However considerate and just the action 
of the Government is, these natives feel it, nevertheless, 
as a burden, and endeavour to migrate to more distant 
parts, where they will be left in peace. Hence, in the 
neighbourhoods where there are only primitive tribes, 
and these not in great numbers, there comes into 
