AMERICAN SAMOA

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 107, 7 May 1923, Page 8

AMERICAN SAMOA

WELCOME TO GOVERNOR

CAPTAIN POLLOCK AT EOTAKY

CLUB.

His Excellency Captain Edwin T, Pollock, Governor of American Samoa, was entertained at luncheon by the members of the Eotary Club at the V.M.C.A. to-day. Accompanying Captain Pollock were Lieutenant H. Ertz, A.D.C. to His Excellency, and Dr. Lincoln Humphreys, senior medical officer on the Samoan naval station. Rotarian W. E. Herbert presided at the luncheoni and among those present were Mr. J. D. Gray (Secretary of the Department of External Affairs), Colonel R. W. Tate," formerly Administrator of Western. ■ Samoa, and Mr. J. Hislop, Under-Secretary .for' Internal* Affairs.

Eotarian Herbert, in introducing Captain Pollock, said that they were particularly pleased to welcome one- who had always extended the greatest kindnesses to New Zealanders who visited American Samoa. There were many bonds of unity between the two great Anglo-Saxon nations, and one of these had. been the assistance rendered the British Fleet by the United States Navy during ,the war. (Applause.) Both nations were imbued with the same desire to promote peace throughout the world. (Applause.)

Captain Pollock, who was loudly applauded, said, that soon after his arrival in New Zealand he was niet by Hotarians, who asked him to speak at the luncheon. When New Zealanders went at anything they went at it with body and soul,'and'as far as he could see the only reason more had not been done for them was that there were only twentyfour hours mv a - day. ■ -The- area and population of American Samoa was onetenth of the whole of Western Samoa, ■ said Captain Pollock, who traced the history of British and American associations with Samoa.- The Union Jack was at Samoa, and he hoped it would stop there. (Applause.) The Samoans were like children, and both Britain and America were anxious to promote the interests of the natives. There was a charm about the Samoan Islands and a charm about the people. Unfortunately, they did not see enough of the •New Zealand in Samoa, but some" day he hoped, when their air service was reorganised, they would be able to' visit each other for afternoon tea. (Laughter.) When they got back they would tell the world that there was no place like New Zealand. There was one thing especially pleasing in his duties at Samoa, and that was the cordial relations which always existed with the New Zealanders. at Western Samoa. ■' New Zealanders visiting the United States could always be assured of the warmest of welcomes. (Applause.) Vocal items were contributed by Botarian B. Doherty, and the proceedings, which had opened with the "Star Spangled Banner," closed with the National Anthem. Eotarian J. W. Carr was at the piano.