SAMOAN POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 105, 6 May 1929, Page 5

SAMOAN POLICY.

STATEMENT BY PREMIER. LAW MUST BE UPHELD. ■ SOME TAXING CHANGES. COPEA EXPORT TAX INCREASED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Speaking at New Plymouth to-dcay the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, referred to the recent visit of the Administrator of Western Samoa to Wellington for consultation with the Government, and announced the decisions taken by the Government as the result of that consultation. The Prime Minister said the present Government were not responsible for any of the occurences of the past, nor did they propose to discuss them. They had already made it plain both in New Zealand and in Samoa that they were anxious to adopt a generous and conciliatory attitude with a view to the conference in Apia and the final and satisfactory settlement of all matters in dispute, but that they could not negotiate with any movement openly flouting the law. They still maintain that attitude and will continue to maintain it; and all that the Mau require to do to obtain sympatheic consideration of any representations is to cease their defiance of tho law. But, as the Mau have shown no indication of a desire to adopt this sensible course, the Government has been obliged to consider, what action they will take, and, after consultation with the Administrator, they have decided upon the following policy: — (1) To dispense with the native personal tax of £2 per head per annum for chiefs and 36/ per annum for other male adult Samoans. (2),T0 make a small charge (having due regard to cost of service and to tho capacity of patient to pay) for one of the activities of administration which tho personal tax was designed in some degree to cover, namely } medical and surgical treatment. (3) To increase the present export tax upon copra'from £1 per ton to 30/ per ton. At the same time the Government and Administration will, of course, continue to enforce the law whenever this is necessary, and native personal taxes at present due and unpaid will remain as debts to the Administration, and will be collected as opportunity offers. This statement is made neither as a threat nor as a promise, but merely as a plain indication of the fixed intention of the Government; and it is the Government's final statement on Samoan policy until the Mau render reconsideration possible., The Government wish it to be under, stood that they will not deviate from the policy now decided upon until the Mau have the wisdom to cease their defiance of the law. In making this announcement the Government wish to express their appreciation of the loyal and helpful attitude of a considerable section of Samoans, and to make it plain that the interests of these people will in no circumstance be lost sight of.