SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 288, 5 December 1929, Page 26

SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

AUTHORITY OF THE MAU. BIG WELCOME TO CHIEFS. GRAVE RACIAL PROBLEM. (From Our Own Correspondent.) APIA, November 19. Although the Mau organisation has been very quiet of late, there is not wanting evidence that the majority of the Samoans still divide their allegiance between the Mau and the Administration. In Upoiu the natives on the whole are very orderly and untenable to the authority of the Administration so long as that authority does not trench on political grounds. There still occur occasional conflicts with the police, but generally these happen only when the police attempt to secure a native whose offence is, as far as Mau are concerned, a political one. Where the offence is a criminal one the Mau are not so prone to offer their protection to the offender. In the island of Savaii, however, It appears that the Mau generally are less tolerant of necessary police action, and that the poliuu, although they do their best, find it practically impossible to arrest a wanted man, unless it be for a purely criminal offence. The movements of the police are reported from village to village, and, owing to the nature of the country, surprise visits are .almost out of the question. In any case, the natives do not hesitate to oppose the police with sticks and stones, so that without the last resource of firearms there seems at present little chance of the police reassuming their one-time authority in that part of Samoa. The village of Vaimoso, near Apia, i still the headquarters of the Mau, and continues to carry on its more or less active opposition to the Administration without interference. Vaimoso is a sore point with many European residents of Samoa, who have been compelled by the natives to stop or slow down their cars for inspection on passing through' the village at night. For those who do not comply with the demands of the pickets, a shower of stones is the reply, and as a stone in the hands of a Samoan is an accurate and painful weapon, most people deem it discreet to stop. It is said that on complaints being made to one influential Mau chief, lie replied that the people of the village should not throw stones, as only the guards have authority. Vaimoso seems to be regularly picketed now with Samoans from different Mau villages, who take it in turns to march in for duty. These guards may frequently be seen marching through Apia on their way to and from Vaimoso. Often they are accompanied by a brass band to cheer them up on the long malaga, and, of course, usually carry enough food to keep them comfortably occupied during the long watch. Return of Two Chiefs.

The arrival home of the chiefs Faumuina and Tuimalealiifano was the occasion for a large Mau demonstration. Apparently it was considered by the Mau that the reception given to Tamasese on his return from New Zealand fell somewhat flat, and in consequence a special effort was made to ensure a big demonstration on this occasion. Natives flocked into Apia from all parts of Samoa, and on the arrival of the Tofua there must have been some 2000 Samoans wearing the Mau regalia to welcome the two big chiefs. Several fine Mau flags headed the different proceseions, and two bands were in attendance, while a particularly fine squad of knife dancers attracted a good deal of attention from those tourists who saw the reception. In passing, it might be mentioned that the Mau are up to many publicity dodges, and the tourists on the Tofua were invited to Vaimoso to watch the fun and, incidentally, to gather the impression that the Mau is still a powerful and important organisation. A large organisation it undoubtedly is, but it is questionable if it retains half the control and influence that it had over the bulk of Samoa a year ago. To date it has not been announced what Samoans have been appointed to fill the two seats for natives on' the Legislative Council, and the appointments are awaited with interest. Should a Mau Samoan be offered one of the seats, it is rather doubtful if the honour will be accepted, although representation on the council is what the Mau originally requested. It is a matter of conjecture what attitude the Mau will adopt to any move by the Administration these days. At the same time Samoa seems to carry on very well in spite of the two factions.

Chinese Illegitimates. Probably as a preliminary to decisive action in respect to the Chinese question in Samoa, an effort is being made by the Chinese Department to discover the extent to Avhich the cooliee are mixing with the Samoans. It is understood that the cooliee are being circularised in respect, among other things, to the number of children born to unmarried couples. According to the Samoa "Guardian," the number is estimated variously between 1000 and 1500. ' When it is considered that the native population of Samoa is approximately 40,000, such a figure seems tremendously high, but there seems little doubt that if anything like an accurate census can be taken it will be hardly proved an exaggeration. Around Apia alone there are a considerable number of coolies living with Samoan women, and in many cases some of these coolies have a regular succession of Samoan "wives." It ia obvious that the purity of the Samoan race is in great danger of being badly defiled if action is not taken in the very near future. Apparently it is a case of having to look after the Samoan where the Samoan will not look after himself. It might be expected that in such an. important matter a race which holds itself so highly would be able to take the necessary steps to preserve its purity, if only in pride. The higher chiefs, among whom there are some very intelligent men, wielding great influence, should long before now have endeavoured to prevent the mixing of the two races. It is a matter which the committee of the Mau, which claims to represent Samoa, might well take up. Surely this organisation must realise how matters stand, and if it does not consider the purity of the race a thing of more importance than political differences its attitude does not do it reach credit. The slogan of the Mau is "Samoa for the Samoans," but the slogan mentions nothing about Chinese-Samoan? who in point of numbers might in a few more years at the present rate be able to demand some show of consideration in the country. The Mau would more than justify its existence if it could by precept and, if necessary, punishment, inspire sufficient pride in the Samoans to enable them to preserve their own purity. Samoan Needs Protection, In the meantime the Administration it held responsible, for its slackness in dealing with the coolie* in put > years. Undoubtedly; Ifliere has teen,' and etill

is, slackness in this respect, and the lawpertaining to the conduct of the coolies is ignored by all. The Administration has supplied the means whereby the intermixture is taking place ,but it seems that a great number of the Samoans have been only too ready, in many casee for pecuniary gain, to encourage the coolies to live with their women. There are plenty of faults on both sides, but to rectify the matter it would seem that the Administration will have to take steps to isolate the coolies from the Samoans and to eneure that these coolies who have completed their term in Samoa are promptly returned to China. The Samoan, although he claims to be fit to have a big voice in his own Government, must be rigidly protected from his own weakness and lack of pride in other ways. Death of Well-known Traveller. Mr. Alex. Sutherland, the well-known Island traveller, representing John Burnb and Company, Ltd., of Auckland, wae taken ill in Apia shortly after he landed from the Tofua, and passed away on the 19th. He had been visiting Samoa for a number of years, and was well and favourably known to all sections of the community. His sudden and unexpected end was a great ehock to his many friends in Samoa. Apia showed its respect to. Mr. Sutherland with flags half-mast.