WESTERN SAMOA,

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 148, 25 June 1931, Page 23

WESTERN SAMOA,

I have always been of the opinion that the Administrator of Samoa is not aware of half of the mistakes and official blunders that 'have been made in Samoa, as it can hardly be expected that those employed by the various departments will report thoir own mistakes and foolish actions. For instance, the new Administrator, Mr. Hart, is anxious to restore the prestige of New Zealand by endeavouring to reconcile those who think they have just cause to be in opposition to the Administration. The most important and influential one qf the lot is old Tuimaleaaliifano of the king liiie, and just as important as Malietoa or Tamasese. Tui, who is nearly 90 years of age, not only lost his salary of £120 per year as a fautua, together with Malietoa, but at the time Tamasese was shot, he was shot in both arms. Some time after this he -was sent to gaol for three months for wearing a Mau lavalava in his own house. It was only hampering the good efforts of the new Administrator when a white police constable went along to Tui's house and shot his dog. Pin pricks like this, I feel sure, the Administrator would not be made aware of, unless brought to his direct notice. It seems to me that the misdeeds of the natives are fully reported and often grossly exaggerated, but Low about the misdeeds of those sent to Samoa, and which add to the hatred of the Samoans towards New Zealand by their unwarranted aggressive actions? Is it not to be wondered at that the Samoans say "Samoa for Samoans?"- Colonel Allen, when he arrived as Administrator, found great difficulty in bringing about a meeting with the members of the Mau. In my opinion the reason was because his arrival was heralded by a body of military police armed with machine-guns and other weapons of war. It was an adjustment of a misundertanding the Samoans expected, which could easily have been arranged at a round table conference. Colonel Allen, upon his arrival may have had every good intention towards the Samoans, but became a victim of circumstances, being hampered by a body of men . whom someone in New Zealand thought was necessary to maintain and uphold his authority. ' It was tactful .consideration of a misunderstanding brought about by tactless administration that was mostly needed at the time, rather than a show of force and exhibition of weapons ot war. The attitude of some of these men towards the Samoans was abominable. Many of them the authorities themselves thought it necessary to get out of the country as undesirables. G.E.L.W.