SAMOA'S FUTURE,

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 209, 3 September 1919, Page 9

SAMOA'S FUTURE,

INTEGRAL PART OF NEW ZEALAND. . OPPOSITION LEADER'S DOUBTS. RACE PROBLEMS AHEAD. (By Telegraph—Specal to -"Star.") WELLINGTON, Tuesday. New Zealand's mandate over Samoa formed an interesting portion of the Prime Minister's peace treaty speech in the House to-day. He had, he said, taken it for granted tihat Samoa would be annexed by Great Britain, but the Peace Conference decided that there should be no annexation in the ordinary sense. There was' no option but to see that Samoa remained under British control, and both naval and military authorities stressed the point .that, from a strategical position the two most important points in the Pacific were Samoa and Rabaul. Great Britain in past years -was foolish in (refusing the Samoan people's request »to take up a Protectorate. Sir George Grey, Sir Robt. Stout, Dr. Brown, and Mtr. Seddon 'had tried repeatedly to get Samoa annexed. He remembered dialling Mr. Seddon for getting a steamer ready to annex Samoa, but it was the right thing to do. He could look back and say Mr. Seddon was right. From a financial viewpoint Samoa should balance on the right side. Samoa would become an integral part of New* Zealand, and the Imperial Government laid emphasis on a -provision in the mandate that New Zealand would have full power of administration and legislation over Samoa as an integral part of tho Dominion.

Mr. Glover: We are losing its trade; Australia is getting it.

Mir. Massey: I know, and regret it, because the trade of Samoa ought to bo very important to this country. I have approached the company concerned, asking them to provide a bettor service.

The Premier added that when he went before the Council of Ten to explain NewZealand's position regarding Samoa, 3ia mentioned, more as a matter of passing interest, that tbe natives were of *ho same race, and spoke a dialect of the 6ame language as the Maoris. Ho was surprised to find later that this wa* regarded as one of the strongest arguments he had brought forward.

Mr. Isftt: Does Samoa involve costly defence?

Mr. Massey: One of the conditions is that it must not be fortified.

Mr. Wilford: What about Jaluit Islands? They are a modern Gibraltar.

Mr. Massey: The Japanese have the whole of the Islands north of the Equator, including the Marshall Group.

Mr. Myers: If there is any deficiency on the Satnoan administration, who will make it good?

Mr. Massey: I am afraid we should have to make it up for the time being, but it would mean ireadjustment of the mandate, and would be put right. Sir John Findlay: Is the mandate limited or indefinite in point of time? Mr. Massey: In perpetuity. BETTER UNDER BRITAIN.

Sir Joseph Ward said he had not yet seen the full terms of the Samoa mandate.

Mr. Massey: I have not got them yet.

Sir Joseph Ward: Well, while I say to this House we must ratify the treat y, I am going to reserve for future years my decision respecting the Samoa mandate, and whether it was the best thing for New Zealand to take. I can foresco tremendous difficulties before our country. I am anxious to (help the Prime Minister to the best of my ability, but my own opinion is that it would 'havo been better for Great Britain to exercise the rights of the mandatory power over Samoa. New Zealand could still have retained trading rights. We hero are legislating for a white race, and there are difficulties confronting us in connection with the administration ot Samoa with its native races. Great Britain has for many years dealt witli identical conditions, and could meet various phases of tlie position, which would be difficult for a young country. Members: Quite right. Sir Joseph Ward: This responsibility put upon New Zealand is new, a very important one, and the position is fraught with delicacy and possible embarrassment.

Sir Joseph, in stressing the importance of Great Britain possessing Samoa, recalled his cablegram in January, 1900, to the then Premier, the late Mt. Seddon, protesting against the handing of Samoa over to Germany and placing in her hands a possession .which ho feared would become a menace to the Dritlsn Empire in the Western Pacific.