The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY FRIDAY, JANUARY 3,1930. THE GOVERNMENT‘S SAMOAN POLICY.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11095, 3 January 1930, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY FRIDAY, JANUARY 3,1930. THE GOVERNMENT‘S SAMOAN POLICY.

Not a litLlo anxiety lias been occasioned i-hrougliout the Doiftintoit on account of the latest evidence of a spirit of revolt in Western Samoa. It may be taken for granted that strict censorship on all news is being exercised. Sooner or later, however, the whole of the facts must become known. The statement by the Administrator that he does not require reinforcements even of police is. no doubt, intended to be re-assuring. It is not certain that the authorities are acquainted with the intentions of the Mau party, whose members have withdrawn from Apia to their headquarters. That the Natives harbour feelings of deep resentment on account of one of their principal chiefs having been fatally injured in tlie recent riot cannot seriously bo open to question. On behalf of the Government of this Dominion, the Prime Minister has, however, intimated that it- is not : intended to depart from the policy that has been laid' down in respect of Western Samoa. This was the ■ right stand to adopt in ■ fact, the only course which «.jQuld have been commended. It now remains to be scon bow the Natives will decide to act. Up till now. unfortunately, the Mau has not been wisely led. As far as can be made out, the attitude of the Natives on the occasion of the recent riot was one of open defiance, which will do the movement an immenso amount of harm. It has been made clour that the Mau is sheltering several Natives who aro wanted on warrant for alleged, breaches of the law. Such an unwise policy is to be regretted, for it will he only a question of time when, in the interests of law and order, stronger measures will require to bo taken to arrest the fugitives from justice. Meantime, strained feelings between the authorities and the Mail loaders aro certain to continue. Serious consideration need not bo given to the unofficial American report to the effect that the *Amtrol of Western Samoa may A)'6 handed to the United States, as is well-known, controlJ&storn Samoa. Not only has • tljjrmattof never been discussed by Amo League of Nations, but the Government of this. Dominion huiy never requested the Home authorities to: relieve it of the mandate and the Mau has never suggested that it would prefer American control of Western Samoa in place of British. Tho strict fact of the matter is that the Man’s policy is one of u ‘Samoa for tho Samoans.” Tho recent riot re most regrettable. It is. however, satisfactory to -be assured that the police did -not take drastic measures until they were called upon to defend their own lives. That the Natives were in. a .very ugly mood is shown, by the fact that, not only did they batter to death one of the police, but followed up this deplorable outrage by making a desperate , attack on police headquarters.