The Evening Star FRIDAY, JULY 22, 1927. SAMOAN TROUBLES,

Evening Star, Issue 19615, 22 July 1927, Page 6

The Evening Star FRIDAY, JULY 22, 1927. SAMOAN TROUBLES,

Mn Noswokthy was justified in saying that he had replied to all the complaints of the Samoan Citizens’ Committee in his report on Ins Visit to Samoa. The House will he in a better position for discussing the whole question now that its have read that document, together with lira Administrator’s report. The replies were not made by the Minister at his interview with the deputation from the committee, which dm preferred to meet as an accuser arid castigator. They were sent later to Mr Nelson on his return to Wellington. It is impossible to escape the conclusion that Mr Nosworthy handled the whole matter in the most maladroit manner. The formal statements of complaints, which ho answered in July, were addressed to the Administrator in December last. Except on the assumption that they had to be submitted to the Fono of Faipules, it is hard to imagine why they could not have been answered then. One would have thought that, when he visited Samoa, almost the lirst act of the Minister would have been to invite a meeting or meetings with, those who were dissatisfied, and sec what could bo done by a friendly discussion of their grievances. He did not, in fnpt, meet them till , almost the last day, and then only to treat them as agitators and disturbers from the start. Finally lie sends them, from Wellington, what they may well have received as the Administrator’s side of the case. No idea that he might act as a conciliator between them and the Administrator, no idea of bringing an independent or an impartial mind to the case, soems to have occurred for one moment to Mr Nosworthy.

Still the report which gives the complaints of the aggrieved ones and the eventual replies, both in the fullest detail. has much interest and value. The replies seem sound enough oh a largo number of. points. If they had been made at an earlier time, with a proper opportunity for discussion, some murmurers might have had their opinions changed by them. It was asked that Samoans should bo represented in tho Legislative Council, the native “ Foiio ” to be ultimately abolished. It was not proposed that they should be more than a minority, subordinate to its white members, in the Council. It appears much better that tho Samoans’ advice should bo given through their own assembly and confined to their owir matters. On tho other hand, it would not seem unreasonable to ask .that elected members in a European assembly should have some larger control over their own affairs than is given to them at present. Complaint was made, on behalf of natives, of too many and too costly European officials. The case in reply denies that the Public Service ol Samoa is over-staffed. As to the cost of administration,’ and of the health and educational improvements which have been a feature of New Zealand’s control, the chief grievance might be thought to lie in this country, which found £20,000 last year and £21,400 the year before as a subsidy for Samoa. Generally speaking, the case made by the Citizens’ Committee and disaffected (natives is the kind of case which, might be made against the Government. in any country by its parliamentary opposition. But the theory apparently is that in Samoa,where the chief task lies in governing natives who arc not yet much more advanced than children, there is no room for an Opposition of any kind. That is the real matter at issue between the Administration and its critics.

A benevolent despotism may 1m the best rule for natives, who might bo unlikely to chafe at it when uninfluenced by others. It is not so easily tolerable to Europeans. In a climate like Samoa’s, on© imagines, little ills may be peculiarly prono to fester. There is time for brooding upon grievances. Life would bo unexciting without some feuds. Even -official tempers may be tried, in tho prevailing sultrh ness, worse than they would be elsewhere Feelings evidently have been long strained between tho Citizens’ and the Administration. Tho report would indicate that there has been a minimum of intercourse. Members of the committee were not invited to sports and a ball held at Government House on tho King’s Birthday, so they arranged similar fixtures of their own, which would not, outside of Samoa, involve any suspicion of disloyalty* Seeing that they were Legislative Councillors, one would think that they might have been invited to the official functions, but it was a childish matter to ,bo argued before a Minister. So far as the Samoans arc concerned, possibly an attempt has been made,at improving them too fast. Improvement requires work, and the “ gospel of work ” may not quickly commend itself to native peoples, who see nothing to find fault with in their natural state. It has been claimed that over 90 per cent, of the Samoan natives support the committee which has been opposing the Administration. That claim is not, admitted by tho Govornnent, but there is cause to fear that tho sense of grievance lias boon widely spread. Mr Nosworthy’s reply to the complaints against banishment is of special interest. The punishment of local banishment, it points out, is no novelty.. It has existed amongst tho Samoan people from the earliest times. The present method, it is contended, by .which the power is placed in tho hands of the Administrator and used only after consultation with native advisers, is considered by tho Samoans themselves to be exercised in a fair and considerate manner. One method of punishment in these cases by tho Samoans themselves was to place the offending chief in a dugout canoe with a few cocoanuts, and set him adrift in tho open Pacific. Sir George Richardson’s Administration ' has not gone so far as that. But local banishments and deportations should bo avoided by it. Deportations have a bad sound in New Zealand. We are not governing Samoa now as a conquered country, and they should bo unnecessary. They are the grievance of tho Citizens’ Committee and of Samoans which makes most impression upon civilised minds. The other troubles of Samoa should not be difficult of adjustment by a reasonable commission, including members, like Sir Apirana Ngata, who can understand native ways.