SAMOAN AFFAIRS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 158, 16 April 1928, Page 5

SAMOAN AFFAIRS

ADMINISTRATOR'S POST.

COLONEL ALLEN'S APPOINTMENT

SIR G. RICHARDSON'S VIEWS

(Per TVccr Awstocfntinn 1

AUCKLAND, This Day,

"Any New Zealand Government officer who goes to Samoa and endeavours fearlessly and courageously to discharge his trust and do his part to carry out the mandate in the interests of the native race, sooner or later becomes the object of censure and misconception on the part of a small non-native section of the community in Apia, some of whom live in the past and yearn for the return of the good old days when Apia was known as 'the Hell of the Pacific,' and when the natives were, comparativelv speaking, non-progressive, diseased and uncared-for people."

Such was the statement of MajorGeneral Sir George Richardson to a "Star" representative to-day, when he returned on the Tofua from Sydney, having completed five years' term as Administrator of the mandated territory of Western Samoa

Sir George stated that he would leave New Zealand next week en route for Geneva, where he will appear before the Mandates Committee of the League of Nations.

"Please make it quite clear that I could give a very full statement concerning the whole position, but I do not wish to do so until I have seen the Prime Minister and the Government," added Sir George. Questioned concerning the new Administrator. Colonel S. S. Allen, Sir George said that in his opinion the right choice of appointment had been made. Colonel Allen was a. Gne man in every way and should do well." "Of course the trouble in Samoa has been fully dealt .with in the report of the Roval Commission, which sat last year. You ask me why the trouble did not come to an end when the Royal Commission was over and when the report had been, given to the world. Some 300 native chiefs) and orators were heard by the Commission and the truth was published. I can say that the chief conspirators or leaders of this movement led the natives <o believe that the Royal Commission was not the end of the matter. They led the natives to believe that they were poing to take the matter further afield." "To Geneva?" interjected the interviewer.

"I do not sav," replied Sir George, "but they led the natives to think that they had great power and could reverse the decision of the Royal Commission."