SAMOAN DISAFFECTION

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 214, 8 September 1921, Page 5

SAMOAN DISAFFECTION

A HIGH-SPIRITED PEOPLE. BIFFICTJI.T TO HANDLE. vßy Cable.—Press Association. —Copyright.) (Received 13.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. The "Sydney Morning Herald's" special commissioner, dealing with the subject of disaffection among native Samoans, says: "There is no doubt the attitude of certain whites and half-castes has strongly influenced them, but the Samoans are splendid typss of manhood, physically and mentally, and Xe.w Zealand's task is difficult in handling satisfactorily a high-spirited people, proud, dignified, and sensitive. She has probably not been particular enough in the selection of officials for Samoa. The average official in Samoa doeg not command the respect of the natives. He lacks, prestige, and is without traditional j upbringing and the eavoir vivro that! usually distinguish the British Colonial ; Office officials. There is no place in the. \ Pacific whom these, things count morn j among native*, with their strict ideas of etiquette and ceremony, than in Samoa," The writer makes v, suggestion, principally In the native interests, that the ] conversion of Samoa Into a Crown colony, | with its more rigid continuous policy, | might give better results than the present, He adds; "Whatever his other faults, the. average German official knew ■better than, thn average New Zealander j how to comport himself nt native gather- ] Ings and pay regard to the susceptibilities of the chiefs, thus avoiding giving umbrage,"—(A, and N.Z, (able.)