TRADE IN THE PACIFIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 138, 13 June 1931, Page 8

TRADE IN THE PACIFIC.

The original of Mr. J. D. Gray's letter to me can no doubt be found among my.papers in Samoa, but Mr. Gray should have no difficulty in procuring a copy from the files of his old Department. I have no wish to "ask an unfortunate official to accept responsibility or blame for the idiosyncrasies" of New Zealand "politicians inside or outside Parliament." My conclusion that Mr. Gray was at least largely responsible for the building or acquisition of the Maui Pomare was drawn from the tone of bis own letter to the "Star" and from statements formerly made that Western Samoa was almost wholly ruled from the desk of the permanent secretary in Wellington. I am quite prepared to believe a statement from Mr. Gray even now that he had nothing whatever to do with the decision to build the Maui Pomare, but in fairness to himself Mr. Gray should now say whether or not that "cock-shy of politicians and commercial interests alike" was acquired against his counsel and advice. I am also ready to agree with him that New Zealand politicians, when their party is in power, are "a law unto themselves," even though they be "unstable as water," but it would be interesting to learn from Mr. Gray himself how much influence his own long association with the External Affairs Department had with the instability of - the political control of that Department. The annual report for 1929 showed a record year for Western Samoa and much capital was made of the figures to show that the political unrest had not produced "chaotic conditions" in the territory, so Mr. Gray would need to furnish other proofs to show how "the amended schemes for the profitable employment of this Government steamer might have- achieved some measure of success.". If the present run was an "amended scheme," what was the original scheme? But all this talk does not say why this "cock-shy" State steamer, should try to interfere with the only passenger and mail liner, the Tofua, now calling at Apia. Neither does it show why the Government did hot offer the necessary encouragement to the resumption of the Oceanic Company's- service to Apia when such was being considered a few years ago. 0. F. NELSON.