HAPPIER DAYS IN SAMOA.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19666, 9 July 1929, Page 14

HAPPIER DAYS IN SAMOA.

DR. TRAIL'S OPINION. MAU'S INFLUENCE ON THE WANE. [TUB FBZSS Sferfja Bcrric*.: AUCKLAND, Jaly 8An impression that the days ot trouble in Samoa are now nearing their end was gained during a short visit to the islands by Dr. S. G. Irail, once Chief Government Medical Officer at Samoa, who returned to Auckland by the Tofua. It appeared to him that the Mau movement was on the decline and that the Administrator, Colonel S. 6. Alien, had the situation well in hand. "He is an ideal man for the job," Dr. Trail said. Although it was six years since he served in Samoa, Dr. Trail did not notice many changes on his visit, fne influence of the Mau was apparent in some instances. A great demonstration, extraordinarily well organised, greeted Tamasese, the native leader, on his return from Auckland after serving his sentence of imprisonment. The natives seemed to set themselves out to impress the European visitors for propaganda purposes, and the whole ceremonv took place just as the Tofua reached 'Apia, Tamaaese having left the vessel at Suva and travelled on to Apia by a small coastal boat. Tamasese was very haughty in his bearing. Dr. Trail said, but the reception passed off without anv untoward incident. Another indication that party feeling vra-s still running on the island lay m the fact that chiefs who favoured the Administration and the Mau respectively would not recognise one another. Quite frequently he nad been talking with a Mau chief, had hailed another chief who acknowledged the Administration. and the former would walk away. There was a strong feeling of suspicion between the two sides. "However, I gathered from those fully in touch with events that the influence of the Mau is definitely o n the wane and that the natives are beginning to question the use or the organisation,'' Dr. Trail said. "The Mau natives are now voluntarily searching for beetles, a task which they refused at the time of the most serious trouble. The native women appear to be fed up with the Mau. Their menfolk go away and attend meetings for days at a time, leaving the women to do "all the work of the villages. If the women set themselves definitely against the movement its downfall seems more or lea predestined.'' "My impression is that the Mau movement would not be serious at all if it were not for the influence of some Europeans behind the natives. Tno Administrator puzzles the Bemoans, and this is the best way to gain their respect. He will listen to them and act, but he will not talk, and the result is that his authority is incr<y\sing al! the time. Colonel Allen still has a hard task ahead of him, but his work up to the present has been splendid" . . • There was not the_ slightest sign O; an influenza epidemic on tne island. Dr. Trail said, and the reports that there had been a serious outbreak were utterly unfounded. The health or the natives was good, and he had been pleased to see the clear skins of the men at the reception to Tamasese. This was a proof that medical service was curing the skin diseases with whicii the Ramoang had been inflicted. "The general conditions in Karr.oa appeared to be fairly quiet."' Dr. Trail said. ''The market for copra is P®°£ at present, prices being onlv about £l- - ton instead of £l6. Tlie natives will probably blame the Administration for this, but it can remain safely in possession of a clear conscience.'' Dr. Trail will leave for Christcb u rch to-m or row.