DUKE IN SAMOA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 47, 25 February 1935, Page 9

DUKE IN SAMOA.

UNITED WELCOME.

ATTITUDE OF THE MAU. INVITATION DECLINED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) APIA, February 14. The visit of the Duke of Gloucester, two sunny and unforgettable days in glorious weather, went off without, the slightest hitch, and was a complete success, due to effective co-operation of the Administration and the European and native residents. It must have made a very pleasant impression on our Royal visitor, his staff and the ship's company of H.M.A.S. Australia, who expressed themselves very enthusiastically about the cordial reception given, which, considering the size and population of the territory, compared most favourably with the efforts of the numerous places of like size in Australia and New Zealand visited by His Eoyal Highness. Western Samoa has thus bidden a worthy last farewell of the Pacific to the Duke at the end of his long tour of the Antipodes.

The warmth of the welcome to His Royal Highness shown by the natives of Samoa was not affected by the foolish and undignified attitude of a minority of the Samoans, adherents of the nationalist ''Mau'' movement, who did not participate in the native functions, though courteously invited to attend by the Administration. They preferred to attend cricket matches instead of showing respect to the Royal visitor, though they pretend that their grudge is solely directed against the New Zealand Government. Their action has served only to'' further alienate European and native sympathies alike.