SAMOA'S WANTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 77, 30 March 1920, Page 5

SAMOA'S WANTS.

THE NATIVE VIEWPOINT. A FORMIDABLE LIST. I The Samoan native does not think that the post of guardia.n accepted by j New Zealand should be regarded as a j sinecure. He brought along his "little ;list" of wants to a fono, a conference .between his chiefs and the Ne.v Zealand ! Parliamentarians at historic Mulinuu. jon March 4. The meeting was hold in 'the Snmoan Parliament House, an enlarged edition of the ordinary island home, the sides open to cae air. the wellarched and thatched roof supported on a multitude of poles, the Uoor of pebbles covered with mats, lt was an interesting and historic gathering, not-able mainly ior the comprehensive nature ot j the native platform, a programme involving the expenditure ot many thousands, j which it was apparently intended New ! Zealand should raise. i After the customary greeting the faipuios opened their list of demand*. ; put in petition form, with the statement : that they obediently accepted the order j placing Western Samoa under th- care oi I Now Zealand, but adding that should the ; dissatisfaction of the S.imoan 'become greater it would be possible lor them t" : appeal that the group bo ruled from ! England hy the Colonial Oflico. The} ! had decided that the appointment of I fautua, given by the Germans to the ' princes oi .Samoa, be abolished, and that i they be called princes of Samoa, with ! salaries of £500 a year ithey now get j _'lo), with European dwellings and | allowances from the Now Zealand Government. ! HANDLING THE MONEY. j They next- suggested that nil proclamations should be promulgated by the I faipuios instead of the administrator. ; and that two Samonus be appointed to 'the New Zealand Parliament. They ' asked for a college and schools all over 'the island, with hospitals and elevei isurgeons in various parts of the group. jThey wanted the right to handle all the | revenues raised in Samoa, witn pensions | for all native Government officials who servo ten vcars. Roads to connect all part, of 1 polu. with .bridges over the rivers there ana lin Savaii, were wanted, together with the improvement of Apia a"<l the construction of a largo breakwater, a town clock being suggested :•> a -i.idin-. I.K'V also wanted wireless in Suvan and a steamer for the intcr-isbml trade, with telephone, all through the group. They wnnted ihe i .overi-.-.nent to regulate the buying and selling "f goo.is in Samoa, the return of the Samoan cuistabulary, and tho erection -f a Parliament house in European style. IMPRACTICABLE PROPOSALS. Sir James Allen received this formidable list with duo ceremony and solemnity, and his reply served to open the eves" of the name, a little to the extent and moaning oi thou demands. He pointed out that New /..aland was not without experience in dealing with native races, and "as thoretore not likely to govern Samoa in a way whic.i would call for any appeal to the Colonial Office. He pointed out tnat if they were governed from London such meetings as that being held at the moment would be impossible. He did not approve of the proposal lo call i!.e fatituas princes. ": ut sugges'ed O at as nn alternative thoy should v c the term hi-h chief. Nor did he think European buildings would be any blessing to thorn. He was unable to agree to their request to be allowed to issue all proclamations, for the reason that there wore white men in Samoa, and to put all the power in tho hands of the chiefs without considering them would not be fair to them. Now /enlind would be pleased to see two of their represcrtatives attending tho me-ting of the Now Zealand Parliament, but he did not think it would be practicable. He would refer tho matter to the Prime Minister on his return to New Zealand. It was impossible to carry out their suggestion that all expenditure bo placed in the hands of the faipuios. that would not be fair to tho whites. The regulation of the buying and selling prices of poods was a difficult matter, but if the natives wore exploited the Government would support tho Administrator in seeing that only fair prices were charged for poods. The constabulary force would be returned to Now Zealand in due course, but there were reasons why wnen the garrison was recalled its place should "r>" taken for a time by civil police. Ho did not think that the Samoans would cause troirbie. indeed thoy were relying 011 the Samoans to assist if trouble did arise. The force wouid ultimately be removed and the Government would rolv upon the Samoane. Just before the party left Samoa it wa6 presented with a farewell address intended for delivery to tho Prime Minister, an 1 those members of Parliament who did not go to Samoa. This address expressed gratitude that the voyage had been undertaken, and forvenilv hoped that it would cement the bonds of good fellowship between the two peoples. Nevertheless one matter filled their hearts with sorrow. It was that lhe meeting was but a passing reflection, it was like a man who gazed ill a mirror before him. he ?aw tho likeness in the glass, but when he departed .everything vanvl'.cd, and was again unseen and almost forgotten. Thoy had a thousand regrets that the members of the party might not continue their meeting with tho people of Samoa for the whole of tho circling year, then indeed would New Zealand understand their conditions, and bo able to control the land accordingly, and to base their protection upon that knowledge.