WHITE MAN IN SAMOA

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 109, 11 May 1933, Page 9

WHITE MAN IN SAMOA

THE VICEREGAL VISIT

AN IDEAL OF SERVICE

(By United Press Association's Special Representative.) APIA (Samoa), April 20. One of tho most interesting functions held in Apia in connection with tho visit of the Governor-General and Lady Bledisloc to Western Samoa was the reception by their Excellencies of representatives of tho European community. This community consists of whites of different nationalities, but particularly British and German, and also Samoans of mixed white and Samoan blood. There was a larg» attendance at tho Courthouse, thoroughly representative of the legislative, religious, official, professional, and commercial lifo of the community. An appropriato address of welcome was read by tho Hon. I. H. Carruthers, M.L.C.,<and his Excellency replied in a highly appreciated extempore speech. Tho Administrator and- Mrs: Hart, and Commodore Burges Watson, were among thoso present. His Excellency said that ho wished to thank the European community for their cordial good wishes and the loyal sentiments embodied in the address which Mr. Carruthers had read. Their visit had been one of unqualified satisfaction to them both. He was most happy to notice, from the' moment he stepped on shore, the high respect in which people of the white race were held by the natives in this mandated territory. It was their endeavour to present to the native race tho ideal that as white men they were not only white in colour but white in conduct, white in their administration, and white above all in their characters. H« would liko to congratulate the Administrator on the loyal and staunch support which he was receiving in the territory. He was conscious that there had been divisions in the1 past, divisions which he was afraid were not yet laid to rest. However, he was confident that the shortest way to the extinction of divisions amongst the naiiva people was to preserve absolute solidarity amongst the white race of the country. They were passing through, times which were peculiarly difficult in an economic sense, but there was reason to think that the clouds on the dark horizon were lifting. It must not be too readily assumed thatthero was overproduction of the primary commodities npon which the welfare of •nch a territory as Samoa depended. The main reason for the lowered values of primary commodities was the lack of purchasing power on the part of the great masses of population in Britain, America, Germany, and elsewhere* When better distribution was provided, possibly through an improved system of currency and other expedients which Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Bamsay MacDonald were considering, there would bo a demand for such primary products as this part of the world was able to raise. They should always be on tho look-out for the possibility of new economic products. It was inadvisable at the best of times to'have all their eggs in one basket, or in - too few baskets. There might be.lriew sources worthy of consideration, v, His Excellency added that it gave him very great pleasure to see present ministers of the various branches of the Christian Church^ who:'were working in co-operation to ensure happier and more helpful lives for. the native population. They might''call him oldfashioned if they, liked, but he had s> profound belief in-the value of Chris* tianity in helping^to. overcome th» ills arising- out of, their present difficulties. He was also very happy t« see present representatives of the medical profession,' and he wished them success in their campaigns against disease and' in their work "for sanita* tion. : He also greeted two Consuls from China, saying he was glad to think- that wherever the Union Jack was flying the Chinese found them-* selves living under good, conditions. German people were also.present, and it was a particular pleasure to him, having a profound belief- in- the scientific'capacity and other virtues of the German people, that they and th« British were making every effort to de-i velop greater understanding and amity; between their countries. In conclusion, his Excellency agaiai thanked those present for their welcome, and expressed his confidence that Lady Blediiloe and himself were goingl to have a most happy and interesting ■tay in Samoa. They would carry away; rery happy recollections of their visit. Those present were presented to their Excellencies by the Administrator. '