CONDITIONS IN SAMOA

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25797, 7 May 1949, Page 6

CONDITIONS IN SAMOA

Trusteeship of N.Z. Praised OPINIONS OF FORMER MEDICAL OFFICER New Zealand was doing excellent work in Samoa, and was discharging her - trustfeeship most faithfully, saiB JJr C. H. Bliss, who has settled in Christchurch after serving as a surgeon at the Government Hospital, Samoa. Mr Bliss spent nine years in the Indian Medical Service, and served with the 4th Indian Division m the Eighth Army during the lasi war. After leaving the Indian Army he was appointed to the Government post of civil surgeon at Qufetta. In Baluchistan, and .he went to Samoa after the riots that followed the declaration of independence in India. Both the administration and the organising of New Zealand Government services in Samoa were good, said Mr Bliss. Siricfe New Zealand had had authority in Samoa in 1914 the population had more than doubled, the incidence of elephantiasis was greatly lowered, and the educational and medical services were very well applied and appreciated. There were ill-advised persons who alleged that New Zealand took advantage of her reparation estates, of which Samoa was one, and took money from them without replacing it. This was not so. New Zealand spent plenty of money on Samoa, and the moneys that came out of Samoa were placed in a sinking fund and used for the good of the islands. Samoan women were not good mothers, said Mr Bliss. Oncfe a child was weaned from the breast it never saw milk again. It was fed on banahhs, taro, coconut, and fish. Meat was a rare dish for a Samoan child, and in mbst cases was never even seen. Child mortality was high; 45 out of every 100 Samoan children died before they reached thfe age of 10. Amfehitifes for Europeans Although the Government’s administration of Samoa was godd, ne thought that it could do more to make life more pleasant for the European civil servants by providing amenities. There was only one cinema, indifferent bus services, expfehsive taxis, one golf cOtirse, dnd ohe club. The cost of living was nearly 100 pef cent higher than in New Zealand, and a married couple iri the civil setyids just exist on £75 a month. , The lower grade employees, clerks mostly, often found themselves in financial difficulties. “The only people who are well off in Samoa are the nursing sisters, who get good salaries /and are fully found,” said Mr Bliss. Comparing the respective administrations in India (under British rtile) and Safnoa, Mr Bliss said that m* Samod thye were many more European low grade civil servants. This would not be found in India, whfre the clerical work was done by Indians or half-castes. Although they were a courteous people quick to respond to respect, the Samoans were equally quick to take offence. For instance, they would not tolerate any slight to their national flag or permit it to be flown inferior to the New Zealand flag. "One has to be verv careful in any dealings with the Samoans to ensure that they will not be offended,” said Mr Bliss. Thfe Samoans were naturally intelligent, but strikingly uninformed. Asked about American Samoa, Mr Bliss said that “the money is poured in there, of course, because it is maintained only for strategic purposes. On the whole. I would say that New Zealand Samoa is better looked after than is American Samoa.”