Western Samoa

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28699, 24 September 1958, Page 16

Western Samoa

Sir, —When J. Hartley praises “the New Zealand style of colonialism, manifested in the administration of Western Samoa,” is he aware that the ordinary Samoan, after working for years to improve his holding, can be turned out without compensation or redress? The effects of such a system of land tenure can easily be imagined. The high chiefs who are the well-paid advisers of the High Commissioner are naturally interested in the preservation of chiefly rights and privileges, and it is considered in Samoa that the High Commissioner is too subservient to them. If J. Hartley thinks that Samoa is a democracy much like our own, he is off the target.—Yours, etc., FA ’A SAMOA.

August 1, 1958. [This letter was referred to the Island Territories Department but no reply has been received.]

Rail-Car Booking Sir,—A .protest against the extraordinary situation at Arthur’s Pass station, in connexion with rail-car accommodation. Having been advised that it would be wisest to book our return from the Pass, where the liaison with Greymouth booking was closer, we joined a daily queue to the station to inquire after seats. The stationmaster rang Greymouth daily, usually to hear that the rail-car was full; standing-room depending, apparently, upon the goodwill of the individual guard. In spite of the fac.t that the car often proved anything but full, our neighbour was offered twelfth place in the waiting list for standing room. Oh, for the good old days of the daily express or goods train, with its two smoky carriages. Today one goes to the Pass risking an eventual return. — Yours, etc.,

September 12, 1958. [Commenting on the above letter, Mr C. J. Millin, District Traffic Manager of Railways, Christchurch, writes: “Reservation of seats by expresses and railcars may be obtained three months prior to date of travel, and this fact is advertised extensively. It is customary for passengers when purchasing rail tickets to secure their reservations both for the outward and return journeys at that time. During week-ends, school holiday, and holiday periods, accommodation on West Coast rail-cars is usually heavily booked. Once the seating capacity of rail-cars is fully reserved, there only remains accommodation for a limited number of standing passengers. It is apparent ‘Fed Up’ has been illadvised in being informed to reserve for his return journey at Arthur’s Pass and has done so only to find that all seating accommodation had been fully reserved on the particular railcar on which he wished to travel.”]