NEW ZEALAND’S ADMINISTRATION.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3333, 9 August 1926, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND’S ADMINISTRATION.

The taking over by New Zealand of the administration of the Tokelau or Union Islands, lying 2000 miles north of Auckland, bodes well for the future of the natives, says the New York “Times," one of the leading dailies of the U.S., in an editorial comment. The islands are three in number and support about a thousand inhabitants, who closely resemble the Samoans avid speak an allied dialect. New Zealand has already proved her capacity for the Government of Polynesian races. Her own native race, the Maoris, are treated on a basis of practical equality with the whites. The Maoris are a proud and dignified people, tracing their genealogies back for centuries. To have been dealt with in a patronising way as inferior natives would have been insupportable l to them: but that situation lias not arisen. New Zealanders have a genuine affection for and pride in the natives. Consequently the Maoris are facing the future with a new heart. Their birth rate now exceeds the death rate. The Maoris readily absorb modern culture. They have produced doctors and lawyers, members of the Legislature and a Cabinet Minister.

While Australia has had trouble in administering her mandate over ex-Gorman New Guinea. Now Zealand has done very well in Western Samoa. The appointment of General Sir George Richardson, the most popular officer iu high command in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, has been a decided success. Education is progressing among the natives, who are being taught their own language as well as English. Tire SijmoTin native villages are kept in a much better and healthier condition than those of Tonga or Fiji, while (he native population is increasing. The residents now have a say in the admiuislra. lion through a, Legislative Council, and the civic spirit has been awakened iu Apia-, the capital, which is being beautified and improved by plantations in the streets and better sanitation. New Zealand is not benefiting financially by her Samoan administration, but is doing llie best she can with (he islands. iSlie should prove equally successful in the Union group.

Mr George Foster Peabody, the millionaire banker and philanthropist, ol New York, has adopted as his daughter Mrs Majorie Waite, a. comely widow. Ho is 74 years old; she is 36. Mrs Waite is a. former school teacher who served as secretary to several charitable organisations. Mr Pouhodv is n trustee of several of those organisations, Mrs Waite resigned her position several months ago. Mr Pcahodv lias been a widower since 1023. An official announcement issued bv vlie London, Midland, and Scottish Railway Company states that when the necessary' alterations arc complete the new works at Crewo_ will become the largest locomotive building and repairing establishment in the country, and will cover 160 acres. • Among now machines being installed is a 5-ton magnet which can pick up a truck load of pig iron.