THE SAMOANS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 150, 22 December 1938, Page 11

THE SAMOANS

MUST WALK FIRST

AN OFFICIAL'S SUMMARY

Formerly chief surveyor and commissioner of lands in Samoa, and a member of the Native Lands and Titles Court, Mr. G. F. K. HufnagelBetham has arrived in Auckland on holiday, and will later join the Lands and Survey Department on transfer. Mr. Hufnagel-Betham has been on the tropical staff of the Administration at Samoa since 1921.

"The natives are most eager to have more to say in native affairs and other matters in the islands, but seem to overlook at times the point of necessary learning and preparation, which is just as essential in Samoa, or ought to be. in these modern times, as in other countries, Mr. Hufnagel-Betham said. "Perhaps as time goes on Samoans will realise that the possession of a hammer does not necessarily establish its owner as a first-class carpenter. If, however, the younger generation in Samoa could only be impressed with the essential need for study and foundation work, some hope of real progress would not be out of place. "Nowadays almost every phase of official business is directed or guided from Wellington," he continued, "and New Zealanders should have no fear therefore of any departure from peace or harmony arising in Samoa as a result of local inexperience. The Acting Administrator, Mr. C. A. Turnbull, is most careful to refer all Samoan problems to New Zealand for a decision be- j fore action is taken.** j