WIDE RANGE OF DISCUSSION

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 120, 17 November 1937, Page 6

WIDE RANGE OF DISCUSSION

SAMOA AND COOK ISLANDS

The discussion on the External Affairs Vote in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon opened up a wide range of topics, including the questions of the appointment of an Administrator for Samoa, the operation of the motor-vessel Maui Pomare, and the Cook Islands fruit trade.

The failure of the Government 1 appoint an Administrator for Same was mentioned by the Rt. Hon^ G. V Forbes (National, Hurunui) who asks the Prime Minister if he could give tt House some indication of what was ii tended. The former Government di not make the appointment because new Government was coming in, I said. The acting Administrator w; giving satisfaction and appeared to I on good terms with the Samoan Nevertheless,. it was not proper to d lay the appointment of an Administr, tor for so long. \ "How did the right hon. gentlema know we were going to be on it. Treasury Benches?" replied Mr. Savag w,ith. a smile.. "When he .left it to r he must have been sure he was goin to get. it in the neck." He agreed, th; the acting' Administrator was doir good work. The Samoaris appeared 1 be happier today than they had bee since 4;he Mandate was-taken over t New Zealand. In respect -to the a: pointment of an Administrator tjt Government desired to move waril and not to jump to conclusions. Tt acting Administrator was losing not] ing by the present position. Mr. Forbes: You're keeping it steai ily in-view? '■ ■ Mr. Savage replied in the" afflrmath and" concluded by saying that the a] pointment was "receiving the conside ation of the Government"