CONTROL OF SAMOA.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 89, 16 April 1927, Page 18

CONTROL OF SAMOA.

ADMINISTRATOR'S POLICY. ATTEMPT TO "STIR UP" NATIVES. 'WILL XOT BE TOLERATED." In view of recent criticism concerning the government of Samoa, a statement made last month by the Administrator, General Sir George Richardson, makes j interesting reading. Sir George indicates that his efforts, were in accordance with instructions from his Government have been sympathetically directed solely for the benefits of the country and the people as a whole; but the native race is his first consideration. The prosperity of the European community, which is directly represented on the Legislative Council by three elected members, depends almost entirely upon the peace, order, and good government of the natives to whom the country belongs, and -who comprise 95 per cent of the total population. Therefore, those who deliberately attempt to undermine the natives' confidence in the Government are working against their own interests. % Powers of Electors. After dealing with the powers of the Council, Sir George points out that in no other mandated territory have the European residents been given powers to elect their representatives, and in very few territories are Europeans so fully represented as in Samoa, where a total of about 230 of the electoral roll are empowered to select three members, or one for approximately 75 electors. "The new government has also granted powers to the Europeans of Apia to control and administer their own local affairs." he continued. '"What the citizens of Suva are doing to help themselves and relieve their Government of responsibility, the citizens of Apia have also the power to do; but they not having accepted this responsibility the Administration continues to function on their behalf on purely municipal matters. There is, however, one matter I wish to make clear to you and that is that the Government has not vested the few Europeans electors of this territory with power to speak on behalf of native population, or the European elected members to represent them. The New Zealand Government is the trustee of the native race, and that trusteeship will not be transferred to any section of the mercantile community or any other autho>itv."

Native Representation. The complete system of native reprc* sentation was appreciated by the natives themselves, and, in 6pito of certain persons having made statements to the contrary, it worked most satisfactorily, and would continue to do so while it was under the guidance of those who had no personal interests to serve and no other object in view than to further the. natives' interests in accordance with the terms of the mandate. "The natives have progressed under this policy and it is not going to be changed in spite of the recent efforts made by a few Europeans to make the natives discontented and to undermine their confidence in their own authorities and in the Government which protects them.

The history of the Samoan race shows that they are very susceptible to political intrigue. Samoan history proves, and our official records also show, that it is an old game in this territory to stir up the natives on certain questions with the object of creating difficulties for the Government. Our official records contain details of repeated instances from the early seventies of the last century up to recent times of persons interfering in native affairs, and some of these cases have ended disastrously for the natives themselves.

"Such persons have always had ulterior motives, and do not voice the opinions of the natives. It is possible for them to influence a number to temporarily concur in their* views. They may, as in the recent agitation, influence natives to sign documents which have been previously prepared. It is an easy matter to do these things providing methods are adopted, which appeal to certain native instincts. As an illustration of such methods being entirely unreliable, I might mention that I have received letters from natives expressing their regret that they themselves signed papers circulated lathis committee. Spread of Propaganda. "It has even been brought to notice that traders have been used to influence and spread political propaganda amongst the natives. The Government can only give consideration to nativa matters that are put forward by the true voice of the natives, and that voice cannot be expressed by the European residents of Apia, some of whom, whilst not agreeing to administer their own local municipal affairs, appear to want the power and authority to interfere in the Government's native policy affecting the whole of the native race in this territory. "Criticise the Government and criticise me personally as much as you like in regard to matters of administration affecting European affairs in this territory, but I appeal again to all the European community to put no obstacle in the path of the Government in its generous policy in dealing with the natives."

In conclusion, Sir George said that New Zealand's record in dealing with native races, and he hoped his record also, should be sufficient to show who were the real champions of the native race. Such methods to unsettle natives would not be tolerated in any other country, and would not be .permitted in Samoa.