SAMOAN DISCONTENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 212, 6 September 1921, Page 5

SAMOAN DISCONTENT.

WORK OF THE ADMINISTRATION "NOT DONE SO BADLY." CAUSES OF THE SLUMP. (By Cable.—rreas Association.—'Copvrtgftt.) (Received 1.30 p.m.l SYDNEY, this day. The "Sydney Morning Herald" is publishing a series of articles by its special commissioner who recently visited the Pacific Islands. Dealing with Samoa and the discontent over administration, he says that he is not disposed to agree with the local contention that all the blamo for the existing parlous conditions is to be laid at New Zealand's door. The administration may have made many mistakes, but had really not done so badly when all its difficulties were taken into consideration, and it promises to do a great deal better in the future. Xew Zealand would no doubt be glad enough to be rid of the disgruntled community if a satisfactory way out could b« found, for there can be no really national desire to continue the control of Samoa against the wishes of its people.

There are many elements them different from any other group in tho Pacific, and this fact makes government very difficult indeed. There is no form of administration that in these days would satisfy the Samoans for long. They are a peculiar people, as New Zealand must realise by now. It \a not alone defects in the Government that account for the trouble, the diminished prosperity in due to the collapse of the markets for tropical products, and that is a cause far beyond local control.— (A. and N.Z.)