THE SAMOAN PROBLEM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 34, 10 February 1930, Page 6

THE SAMOAN PROBLEM.

l' , ' I read your leading article on the Samoa* problem with a satisfaction and that feeling of cordial agreement which must have beeii shared by a very large circle of "Star" reader* Every impartial ancl fair-thinking man and woman must earnestly desire an ending to tlr'is wi etched Samoan embroglio, coinniensuHij£(j * with the reputation for humane ideals and evanbalanced justice upon which we Britishers so pride ourselves. No one who has followed "the official reports of the riot and the publisi ed accounts of the inquest can feel other than gravely doubtful of the reliability of the offi< ial pronouncements as an accurate narrative of the unhappy business. While one can lioAl a certain amount of sympathy for the effortii of unquestionably harassed officials to gloze over unnecessai ily drastic methods, suddenly resolved upon after a long period of emj.ally incomprehensible laxity, the inconsistencies and conflictions in the various statements' have been so obvious as to create a painful impression upon most who have read them. Surely, Mr. Editor, the time has now arrived, as you suggest in your timely article, for moderate and humane counsels. These unfortunate and primitive-minded islanders cannot be dealt with jn medieval fashion in thui year of grace if we are to maintain our prestige for the successful and humane government of native peoples. Your appeal for a policy of reconciliation and sweet reasonableness is one that should have wide support in New 7. ,'ealand for the honour and fair name of the Dotarinion, CLEM; EXT.