The Dominion MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1929. GRAVE HAPPENINGS IN SAMOA

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 81, 30 December 1929, Page 8

The Dominion MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1929. GRAVE HAPPENINGS IN SAMOA

/ Defiance of lawful authority in Western Samoa has had its inevitable end in violence with the regrettable result that one New Zealand constable and two Samoans have been killed and a number on both sides injured. It may be hoped that, appalled by the shocking sequel to its own wrong-headedness, the Mau may now work for the reconciliation it has so long spurned. Unfoitunatey the spilling of blood is not generally a good augury of peace and good-will, but, taken apart from x the heat of the moment, wiser counsels may yet prevail. , On the report made by the Prime Minister, responsibility for the clash must rest on the Mau. It appears that the Administrator, Colonel S. S. Allen, acted with prudence, restraint, and sagacity. He gave the Mau more than fair warning. When this was ignored, he proceeded with the minimum of force and only drew on more powerful reserves when pacific methods were met by violence. In applying New Zealand’s declared policy in Samoa, it is difficult to see how Colonel Allen could have met the Mau’s challenge with greater moderation except he sacrificed firmness and our whole claim to govern in the mandated territory. As reaffirmed by Sir Joseph Ward on September 6 of this year, the Dominion s policy is: The Government will act in all things only for the benefit of the Samoan people, allowing them association in the administration and finance of the territory, and to an increasing extent in the future. . . . The Government will not be coerced into tolerating an open defiance of the law, or with negotiating vvitli any body of Samoans who adopt that attitude. . . . Abandonment of defiance of the law is the first and essential step to an adjustment of any grievances. That is a statement of policy of which most New Zealanders will approve. Moreover, the Administration has applied the policy very tolerantly, eschewing provocation and handling a difficult situation delicately. There are limits to tolerance, however, and these were reached on Saturday morning. The Administrator could have done no less in answer to an insolent challenge to New Zealand s authority. The Dominion will, moreover, require that the slayers of Constable Abraham be brought to justice. ./ _ «• • < To assign responsibility for the pass to which affairs have arrived in Samoa would be an involved task. It should be noted, nevertheless, that the Mau may have been led to believe it. had the support of a section of public opinion in New-Zealand by the attitude taken up by the Labour Party. Despite the sound political principle that external affairs are above party, Labour has posed as Samoa’s champion. So late as last September, Mr. Howard moved in the House that, in effect, Samoa.be granted autonomy. In the course of the debate Mr. Holland said: “The day was past when the Samoans could be bludgeoned into compliance.” No doubt such tactics and statements have led the Mau to believe it had behind it the support of the third political party in New Zealand. Other influences have also been at work. A glance at a file of the New Zealand Samoa Guardian shows the sort of propaganda that is being broadcast. In its Christmas number, the leading article is entitled, “Good-will Towards Men,” and its openingsentence says that' “Christmas has for the past three years been the occasion for malice and hatred toward the Samoans and their friends.” The paper also contains two articles signed by Germans, another headed “Christmas Atrocities by Samoa’s Worst Government,” and among other combustible material, quotes Lord Fisher’s advice to “Hit first'! Hit hard! Keep on hitting!” It is not surprising if some of this printed matter has influenced the simple-minded natives.

To adopt Mr. Holland’s unmeasured words, Samoa must be told plainly that the day will never come when New Zealand can be “bludgeoned into compliance.” Violence will achieve nothing. But New Zealand is ready to meet Samoa in a reasonable spirit whenever the Mau abandons its unlawful pretensions.