FROM TROUBLED SAMOA

Evening Star, Issue 19779, 1 February 1928, Page 3

FROM TROUBLED SAMOA

VISIT OF EDUCATIONALISTS DOMINION ADMINISTRATION EULOGISED keen interest in industries. Though short in duration, the visit to Dunedin of Mr D. A. J. Richardson, Dilector of Education in Samoa, Taua’a, native superintendent For Western Samoa, and Karine, native inspector of schools, was full of interest to the tourists. They spent only fourteen hours in Dunedin, but during that time they had an eye-opener of the industiial activity of the commercial centre of the dominion. The visitors arrived last night after a short trip to Mount Cook. Mr Richardson has been in Samoa nine veals. Ho was born in Dunedin, and was a pupil at the Highcliff School. In an interview and speech this morning, he explained the rapid progress coeducation in Samoa, and, touching on the political situation, he paid a tribute to the work New Zealand and the Administrator were carrying out. Taua’a is a native chief, and tutor to Sir George Richardson, tie was the first native teacher appointed by the English Government, and is a keen observer and a fluent speaker of the English language. Karene is a young native, one of the most brilliant boys produced in the Samoan school. “ Education in Samoa has been framed to meet the needs of the people, and as the country is essentially an agricultural one, the bias is towards agriculture,” said Mr Richardson, in an interview with the ‘Star.’ “In the early stages we worked in co-operation with the missions. The schools are inspected annually by inspectors of the New Zealand Education Department. The ages of the pupils range from five to eighteen years, and at the district schools the teachers are selected from the ranks of New Zealanders, many of whom come from the South Island. English is paramount in the district schools, while in the other schools the vernacular is the main language taught. Splendid advances in education are being made. During the past four years great strides have been made, and a highly intellectual race should he developed. The great aim of the system is not to Europeanise the natives, but the natives are extremely keen to learn the English language. They will do anything to learn the language. The officers had been sent to New Zealand by General Richardson so as to learn something of' the education and commercial life in the dominion. Taua’a and Karene would be largely instrumental in bringing about a keen interest in New Zealand, as they were influential among the natives. The visitors had been astounded at the size and organisation of the industries, and at the productiveness of the land, in comparison to their mountainous country.

After visiting M'Lcod's soap factory, the Waitaki Dairy Company, Hudson's, and the match factory at Caversham, Mr llichardson and his Samoan visitors were entertained by Mr and Mrs James Hogg at morning tea at the University Club. The guests ineluded The Mayor and Mrs Taverner, Dr Lavson (Professor of Education), Messrs Richard Hudson, James Taylor (president of the Chamber of Commerce), T. Somerville (president of the Manufacturers' Association), and G. W. Reid (secretary of the Manufacturers' Association).

The Mayor welcomed the visitors to Dunedin. It was the first official visit of Samoans to the South Island, ho said, and it marked an important stage in the relations between the two countries. Dunedin was the centre of Education in New Zealand, and it was fitting that the Samoans should have visited the Otago capital. The Samoans had had some misgivings about coming so far south, and although' Dunedin people considered the weather this morning exceedingly hot, the Samoan chief, Taua'a, had remarked that it was a bit chilly! The Mayor expressed gratification that Samoa was taking such a live interest in not only education, but in industry. Nothing but good could result from interchange of visits to the two countries. On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce Mr Taylor also welcomed the visitors. He remarked that when the new steamer Maui Pomare would trade between New Zealand and Samoa a fine trade would be worked up. Mr Somerville said that when they remembered what had been done in New Zealand from the pioneer days they could believe that Samoa would develop into one of the best commercial islands in the South Pacific. Samoa's position was one of command. He had visited Samoa, and he was sure that if the business men of New Zealand realised the benefits of Samoa for tired people a big tourist trade would result. . Dr Lawson said that a visit Irom Samoan educationalists had been long delayed. Man was a trader, ami the interest in industry by the visitors was commendable, as education stood not only for the cultural side, but tor the commercial and practical side. He was pleased that the folk lore and son<»s of Samoa were still bemg cultivated in the education system. Since the war educationalists the wor d over had realised that the traditional curriculum of education was a misfit, not fitting in with the practical activities of human beings. Samoa was trying to solve that problem. Education was not only to bring out the best by the eye, hands, and brain, but also the best in man. . . . lUf "Though there is a, suspicum that something is «ron S in Samoa there is much of the good left out in the criticism vou hear to-day, and much of that bone of contention has been bitten for political gain, said Mr Richardson.' The suspicion is aroused by newspaper contrpversy. Progress has been made in every department in Samoa Those who know the Samoan mind will tell you that neither the Government or the Mau expected that the position would ever reach its present crisis. "In a little tune, they thought, "it will all be over." It crew and grew, and it will take some time before the old order is restored. I must say how much we admire Genera! Richardson for the patience and tact he has shown in a most difficult situation, with only a handful of whites among 36,000 natives. The Samoans had found somebody else to speak to them, and they acted upon the advice given. In the islands to-day neglected villages and plantations are to be found, and the natives are not following their usual mode of living. I know there are faults on both sides; it is a poor Government that does not have faults. But you have to weigh the faults, and lam Ji. - oud of the work New Zealand has put into mandated Samoa. With me are two men, loyal to Samoa and the Administration. For the last fourteen months Taua'a / has been going round talking to the ill-informed of his own race. But it is difficult for him to teach his countrymeu the true position. 1 know I will be attacked severely by some in New Zealand when 1 say that this country's administration has formed a basis on which Samoa can be developed." A reply to the welcome was given in the Samoan language by Taua'a and translated by Karene. Later Taua'a made a speech in English in which he said he Avas for Samoa always. The teachers from New Zealand and the natives worked harmoniously together for the country's good. He had thought Samoa' the world, but his trip had

given him much enlightenment. He spoke of the beauty of the country and its agricultural and industrial activity. Taua'a naively remarked on his novel experience of his first ride on a cable car in Dunedin. He assured the hosts that he and Karens would tell their people of the wonders of New Zealand and the opportunities for trade. The visitors, who were motored round the city late last_ night and were greatly impressed with Dunedin from the hills, left this_ morning by the second express to join the Tofua en route for Samoa.