HARSH LAWS?

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 219, 16 September 1938, Page 5

HARSH LAWS?

TO BE REMOVED. SAMOA LEGISLATION. CRITICISM IN HOUSE. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The view that the proposals in the Sunioa Amendment Bill would lessen the powers of the Administrator was expressed by Mr. Cobbe (National, Oroua) during the second reading debate on the bill in the House of Representatives yesterday. In moving the second reading, the acting-Minister of External Affairs, Mr. Langstone, said the bill gave to the Samoans some of the amendments they had asked for, and repealed certain ordinances that were repugnant to them. The Samoans were to have the say in selecting their Fono Faipule. There were 39 members of it, and the bill gave the Samoane power to choose their representatives, according to Sarnoan custom. They would be confirmed by the Administrator. After outlining thie other provisions of the bill, the Minister said that the Samoans were suspicious

and were liable to jump to conclusions, and it was advisable that the Government should appreciate as much ae possible their point of view, and try to enter into their way, of doing things and try and foster goodwill with as little friction as possible. • Mr. Cobbe said that the bill definitely lessened the power of the administrator. If a man were an agitator, for instance, and were elected by the Samoans, apparently the Administrator had no power to refuse the appointment. The bill also made it easier for prisoners, and again lessened the powers of the Administrator.

" Told Little. Sir. J. Hargest (National, Awarua) said the people were told remarkably little about the administration. The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage): Samoa cannot be discussed under this bill. The report has been tabled. Mr. Hargest s It says almost nothing at all about the conditions existing among the people. Could the Minister tell us when the Administrator is to be appointed permanently? Mr. Savage: What has this bill got to do with that? Mr. Hargest: It is altering some of the laws of Samoa, and we have the right to know a little more than the Minister has told us. Is Mr. Turnbull going to remain a temporary official? He went on to say that according to reports 'brought back the discipline among the Samoans was non-existent. Every time the police turned out to a public function the Mau turned out also.

Mr. C. Carr (Government, Timaru): There hasn't been any massacre there lately. Mr. Hargest said there was a kind of dual control in Samoa, and it was stated that the Mau was stronger than ever and that it took upon itself the task of policing the country. Mr. G. W. Forbes (National, Hurunui) was curious to know how, in connection with the question of deportation, the Minister proposed to take away the power from the Government and the Administrator. There were cases, apart from the Nelson case, where deportation was exercised because a man was stirring up discontent. The bill deprived the Government and the Administrator of certain powers that should be exercised. "Failed Miserably." Mr. J. O'Brien (Government, Westland) said harsh la we had been put on ■the Samoans in the past, and the previous Governments had tried to bend the natives to their will and had failed miserably. When the Labour Government took over the control of Samoa, 95 per cent of the natives belonged to the Man, and they had their co-opera-tion. If the Samoans could be made to understand that the New Zealand authorities did not wish to interfere with their liberty, but wanted to helfi them, their whole-hearted co-operation would be forthcoming and they would not attempt to do anything like they had done in the past. He predicted that within two or three years 99 per cent, co-operation with the authorities would come from the Samoans.

Replying to the debate, Mr. Langstone said that the Samoans were a kindly and lovable people, and there should have been no trouble in the territory. If past Administrations had taken a lead from the work of the missionary societies all would have been well. All that the Samoans wanted was evidence of the goodwill of the people of New Zealand. The repressive laws were dead letters, but the Samoans were afraid that they might be revived on the least pretext and wanted them to be removed. He was satisfied that the repressive measures were not required. After the dinner adjournment, Mr. Langstone outlined the activities of the Mau police, who, he said, kept order among the Samoans at public functions, something in the same manner as the Maoris did in connection with their own public meetings in New Zealand. Taken as a whole conditions were very favourable in Samoa to-day. The health of the people was good, education facilities were being improved and finances were in a very sound condition. In fact, the .Saiiioan debt would be completely paid off by 1953. The bill was read a eecnnd time, put through the committee stages, read a' third time and passed. i