MANDATES COMMISSION.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19819, 6 January 1930, Page 11

MANDATES COMMISSION.

AFFAIRS IN SAMOA. FAREWELL TO SIR JAMES PARS.

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LONDON, November 21

When Sir James Parr announced at the Mandates Commission that it would be his final attendance, he was mhjected to rather an embarrassing experience. The Marquis Theodoli *nd th« . eighteen other representatives wer« most genuine "in their farewells. Tha Marquis, speaking for the nations, said they were very sorry to lose Sir James Parr. He had been of great assistance in past years in unravelling Samoam affairs. He had represented the Mandatory Power with great, ability and taotfulness. He hoped that some day he might come back to present the report from New Zealand. In reply, the High Commissioner said that in his opinion the success of the Mandate system largely depended upon the capacity for patience and sympathy of the Commission. While the Mandates Commission during the last four years had been searching and thorough in its enquiries, the Mandatory Powers had always had fair play in executing their difficult task.

After the final session, the member* of the Commission each took personal leave of the High Commissioner. During the course of his examination, Sir James Parr emphasised that though the non-co-operative movement in Samoa still existed in passive form, it had not affected the economic situation, the past year having been a record year in trade and business. # The Commission gave considerable attention to the recent report by New Zealand officials upon the details of administration and finance in Samoa, this report having recommended drastic changes in administration and finance, including the balancing of the Budget. New Zealand has spent £,212,000 up to date out of its own moneys. The High Commissioner corrected a general pression that this recent report was in conflict with the findings of the Boyal Commission. The question of admin is tration in its details was not in the Order of Reference of the Royal Com-miwun-n, and therefor©not dealt with by that body. The High Commissioner was questioned at length as to recent changes in staff and also as to the new financial policy.

The official report of the Commission will not be published for two or three months.