GOVERNING SAMOA.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 225, 21 September 1921, Page 4

GOVERNING SAMOA.

The attitude of the Hon. E. P. Lee. Minister in charge of External Affairs, towards existing Saitioan administration, if it may fairly be judged by his after lunch talk to Rotariaiiri in Wellington, is hopeless. According to him the little territory is not burdened by a Civil Service that is more numerous than its requirements necessitate, and the individuals composing the service are eminently suited to their tasks. There is in fact no reasonable grounds for complaint against the administration, and such discontent as exists has its origin with a disgruntled European minority. No one who has read the views expressed in these columns from time lo time by various persons who are intimate with the affairs of Samoa will be .prepared to accept this self-com-placent brushing aside of the accumulated evidence that all is far from being well with the mandated territory for which this country has unfortunately been made responsible. We published last Saturday a criticism by a gentleman who lias spent very many years in Samoa, and whose judgment and disinterested-

ness there is no reason to question. According to his statement the water supply about which the Minister boasts, is an expensive luxury for which householders are heavily rated, but about which there is no certainty as to when it will be available. In spite of a greatly increased medical personnel for a reduced population, no permanent out-stations have as yet been established. It has not been suggested, as far as we unaware, that the Germans did not look after the health of the natives efficiently, and the only excuse that could be advanced for doubling the number of medical men is that doctors were being permanently established at isolated points to minister to the natives. The story that we have heard, not once, but on numerous occasions, of a greatly augmented public works staff' engaged busy as bees knocking up ice-chests and furniture for the use and comfort of officials, we trust. is exaggerated; but the evidence that the fine work that the Germans did on the main road, and the numerous bridges that are necessary on the island of Cpolu being allowed to fall into a shocking state of disrepair and decay is too circumstantial to be overlooked. A great deal too audi has

made of the part that the arbitrary enforcement of prohibition plays in the existing state of unrest, especially by the present Minister. As it is acknowledged by practically everybody that alcohol presents 110 temptation to the native, and is therefore no menace to him, the enforcement of this measure on the European population is difficult to defend. New Zealand is not a prohibition country, and as long as the people of these islands vote continuance the Government has no justification for enforcing total abstinence on the white resident" of (his territory, which to all intents and purposes is in the meantime a part of our Dominion. There are very real grievances entertained by Samoan and white man alike, and the sooner Mr. Lee acknowledges ■ this fact anil sets about attempting to improve matters the better for New Zealand's good name and tlie people of the islands. The suggestion that we made tlie other day that one or two officials of (he Colonial OOice with extended tropical experience be loaned for a few years, and that under them a stall' lie selected and trained, we urge again; for along this road we are convinced is to be 'found the best, solution of tlie present difficulties.