Problems Ahead For Samoa

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32343, 8 July 1970, Page 2

Problems Ahead For Samoa

Western Samoa could face serious problems of discontent if more jobs were not created for the many young people who were now gaining educa- : tion, Mrs Joy Jones, wife of the Rev. L. Jones, said in Christchurch yesterday. More than half the population were under 16. Young people were coming into Apia from the villages, often “getting into bad ways.” “There could be a lot of trouble in the future if young people are not found jobs and something meaningful to do with their lives,” said Mrs Jones, whose husband is minister of the St Paul’s Trinity Pacific Church in Christchurch. The family spent seven months in Samoa. Mr Jones wanted to experience conditions in the Pacific Islands and took over the duties at the Apia Protestant Church while the resident minister was on leave. General Aim New Zealand was a mecca for the young, almost all of whom wanted to emigrate and join other members of their families here. It is a trend Mrs Jones regrets. “It’s rather sad,” she said, “because they have a lovely country and it’s a pity they can't stay and have a good life there. “Something must come from all the experts and reports being written on Western Samoa. There are certainly a large number of

United Nations people working in the country.” Some industry was beginning to expand. There were two pineapple canning factories, two cordial factories, beef cattle industry had been

started, and an enterprising New Zealander had set up a company producing fine teak products. The native woods, which Mrs Jones admired, were also being milled on Savaii by an American company. A New Zealand construct!' company was at present building accommodation for machinery, and an air strip and terminal buildings were under construction. Mrs Jones considers one of the country’s areas of greatest need is in pre-school education. She thinks New Zealand could help by sending in

a person well qualified to train pre-school teachers. A type of play centre had been established, and there was a need for someone to train the girls who were looking after the children. “The Apia Protestant Church provided a hall for youngsters living nearby, and several other kindergartens were begun. A kindergarten teacher came over as a V.S.A., and this poor girl was trying to run a kindergarten and train about 40 girls whose knowledge of English was very inadequate. Big Difference “I used to help her one day a week with the training, and realised then it is certainly a hit-and-miss job. It is very difficult to decide on a programme for a totally different race and culture. Some things tha* are applicable for New Zealand children might not be suitable for Samoans," she said. Lack of equipment was another handicap. Mrs Jones considers there is a limit to the things a teacher can do with two coconut halves and some rhythm sticks. Books and pictures were also badly needed. To Mrs Jones it seemed the children did not play much. “Everyone has their job to do. The little girls look after mother’s baby, and the little boys are off spearing fish.” Western Samoa’s director of education is a woman, Dr Fanafi Larkin, who studied at Victoria University in Wellington. “She is very concerned that the youngsters are learning ‘pidgin* English and Samoanthat before they learn Samoan

properly English words creep in. “There is a strong fear of the European coming into Samoa and changing the tra ditional way of life. Dr Fanafi is concerned about influence of the European attitude at the pre-school level; but of course if Samoans are going to take their place in the world they must under stand English,” said Mrs Jones. In Western Samoa, it is a man’s world, Mrs Jones found. The men were the figures of authority, and life for women was hard. Because of the high cost of living and low wage structure most women had jobs. Because of many excellent diet courses mothers were now aware of the food their children required. This meant that often they did without themselves, and cases of malnutrition and anaemia were frequent Two days a week Mrs Jones taught social studies at the preparatory school attached to the Malva Theological College where her husband lectured. She found the boys, who were boarders, were in every way ahead of the girls in their ability to manage. Her top 10 students were boys. “They live at the school, and have the staff to talk to and discuss problems with, books, and radio. The girls go home to their Samoan families and, of course, speak Samoan all the time. And they have to do such a lot to contribute to the household.

“They work very hard, and have to get up early in the morning. The bus for the school leaves Apia at 6.30 a.m. and some of them have to walk several miles before that, so they are tired by the time they get to school,” she said.