THE DEPORTATIONS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 85, 20 January 1928, Page 6

THE DEPORTATIONS

STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER.

INTERESTS OF THE COUNTRY. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, January 19. There is no need to be anxious about Samoan affairs, said Mr Coates in a speech last night at Helensyille, "It is a question whether the Government of New Zealand is to govern Samoa, or some other body of citizens who may, or may not, live in Samoa. "An effort has been made by several people to show their authority, but New Zealand is responsible for the administration of Samoa .and will carry out that responsibility. "The course we have taken is right and the only course. We recognise our responsibility to the natives and will not shirk it. We will govern as we believe right, 'and not as others may do. "There is no ground for apprehension. Everything is going smoothly. It will take a* good deal of patience, but all will come out well in the end. Some of our Opposition friends are not satisfied with what has happened, but the Government takes all responsibility for what it has done. We have taken the right course and are _ following that roiirse in a manner which we know will be a credit to this country." Mr Coates was asked by a questioner whether the Government would be nrepared to deport a resident of New Zealand from the Dominion without a trial as it had deported the Hon. 0. F. Nelson and others from Samoa. Mr Coates replied that although a oerson not a permanent resident could be deported by an order of a Court, he did not believe that any New Zealand ritizen would behave as certain persons in Samoa had done. "When a man is considered to be a menace to peace and order and good government," he added, "I am afraid he has to go where the Government tells him. No citizen of this country has taken no such an attitude. The oosition in Samoa is altogether different. We have to deal with the native mind. There are some who will tell vou that the Samoans are • like the Maoris, but that is not so. "We know what, is best in the interests of Samoa. The action we have taken is definite and drastic, but it is the-only one to bring back peace. Samoa was in a seditious ferment and it was hooeless to make headway as it was. Things.have gone back * great deal, but we are determined to act up to our responsibilities and those who cross our path and interfere must put up with the consequences."