Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, MARCH 24th., 1928. TRUCE ABOUT SAMOA

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 March 1928, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, MARCH 24th., 1928. TRUCE ABOUT SAMOA

’JptlE announcement of General Richardson’s successor as Administrator* in Western Samoa should be the signal for a cessation of controversy in New Zealand on ibis particular subject, and it is to be regretted that Mr. 11. E. Holland should seize the opportunity fo add fuel to the dying fire- His latest “retort” to Mr. Coates, and especially his references to General Richardson, does not show him at his best, and his friends should urge him for his Party’s sake, as well as his own, to turn his talent for criticism on some other topic. Mr. Holland is indignant because the. Press Association is not eager to continue to telegraph at length his many speeches or long statements about Samoa, but most readers will agree that rather too much latitude has been given to the Loader of the Opposition in this matter.

Best national wishes will accompany Lt.-Col. Allen on his new task. His appointment was not generally expected, and. many were of the opinion that the best choice was Sir Apirana Ngata. A meeting of Auckland citizens urged this appointment upon the Prime Minister, declaring t hat Sir A. Ngata’s “special qualifications of legal training and knowledge of Polynesian customs, together with his high culture, make him eminently suitable for the difficult and responsible duties of administration.” However, another has been selected, and no useful purpose would be served by stating the very strong case for those who would have preferred Sir Apirana to any other, Maori or Pakeha. Lt.Col. Allen has a line war record, and is personally well-known in the North Island. He has the reputation of acquiring great popularity with those under his command, and he probably possesses (to quote Mr. Coates) “the qualities of tact, patience and firmness required of New Zealand’s administration, if its trusteeship is to be carried on without recourse to drastic measures.”

Lt.-Col. Alien starts with the advantage of a Fairly (‘lean-slate. Some of the diflicnlt ics cmifrmil ing his predecessor have been removed, the Alan leaders have been deported, and recent happenings should have convinced the recalcitrant Samoans that there is no possibility ol‘ Now Zealand tamely abandoning - Western Samoa at their demands. Nor is their any help in that direction to be expected from the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations, which is bound to uphold its nation, unless strong - evidence is brought of the Dominion’s unfitness For the trust reposed in it. New Zealand may not have been very keen about the trusteeship in the beginning, but would certainly not now withdraw to placate the Mau, at the expense of Samoa’s real welfare and prosperity. .Mr. Nelson' proclaims that he is going to Geneva to tell of his grievances, but he has no official status, and the Mandates Commission, will decline

to hear him. He may be able to

make mischief in some anti-British quarters eager for any pretext to decry the Empire.

In conclusion, it is but fitting that the Dominion should express appreciation of the services rendered by General Richardson. For some reasons it is to be regretted thiit his pre-arranged retirement should take jilaee at this juncture, as his enemies are sure to connect it with the “recall” demands. General Richardson had a difficult task, and although he may have made his mistakes, it does not. appear that, any of these were really serious. The man on t he spot is usually in a better position to .judge than far-off and less-troubled critics. Every enquiry made so far has completely vindicated General Richardson’s policy, and there is no reason to think that when he tells the Commission of his problems and the solutions he provided, that his decisions will be censured. Meanwhile, we repeat the hope that controversy will cease about Samoa, for a few months, in order to give the new Administration a. fair chance. The Government, too, should lighten the censorship in Samoa, or give stronger reasons for its continuance.