DURING THE TRUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 66, 19 March 1930, Page 8

DURING THE TRUCE.

MATTERS AT SAMOA.

ADMINISTRATOR'S ADDRESS

HEART TO HEART TALK AT FONOS,

Addressing the Mau in Western Samoa recently during the truce, the Administrator (Mr. S. S. Allen) emphasised to the people that lie was the proper person to address and consult with regard to all matters in the country's welfare. Failure to do this in the past had been the cause of all the trouble. He was quite prepared to hold fonos to discuss matters of importance if the fonos were representative of the whole country. If they wished, he would call a fono and he himself would appoint a few of the more important chiefs who would be regarded as representing Samoa rather than any district.

With regard to further matter in the Man's statement of IT points, there were several questions relating to occurrences affecting generally the administration of justice, which would, as before, be carried out with the utmost impartiality. He would not in any way interfere with affairs of justice, whicii was the province of the Chief Judge and the Courts. The administration of justice was not to be confused with the Government. Therefore, in further reply to their query about a treaty made 40 years ago, he could only say that the world had changed much since. He could say it was the intention of the New Zealand Government to faithfully regard the mandate in the interests of Samoan people. Mr. Allen pointed out the progress of the country since he was first there 35 years ago. New Zealand had assisted in the improvements. Not Ready to Govern. " Now, we wish to continue the process," continued the Administrator, " and to give the Samoan people a larger part in their own government, but I ask you not to deceive yourselves when you con- 1 sider the progress which has been made into thinking that no further progress is necessary before the time comes when Samoa can govern itself." He asked how many of them were managing their own businesses. Did they think they could run their missions and schools without European help? He mentioned these things just to show that the time had not come for them to manage their own affairs, evfen though they had capable Samoan teachers and others in different spheres. . "At present there are no Samoans who are managing any business concern of importance, and if up to the present you have not succeeded in this direction can you hope yet to succeed in managing the concerns of the Government which, after all, is only a business institution, but ono managed on much more wide and extensive lines than any of the departments or businesses which I have mentioned. Education is required for all these things, and it is a matter of time. It is necessary that the rising generation, the young people, should be educated and trained not only to take places of their fathers, but more than that —to take their places in the government of the country, and ultimately to take charge of the management of its concerns.

" I have heard you sometimes say that one must go slowly in Samoa, that we go too fast, and you ask for more time for consideration in various matters. At present it is you who are wanting to go too fast, and that is not in accordance with Samoan custom. It is I and th 6 Government who want to go more slowly, 60 that the foundations can be laid wisely and firmly and strongly, so that the structure, when it ie finally built, may endure and not fall through weakness of the foundations." Faumuina's reply to the offer of a representative fono was that the Mau would not join with the natives until its wrongs were redressed.