FUTURE OF SAMOA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 2 August 1924, Page 13

FUTURE OF SAMOA.

GENERAL RICHARDSON’S REPORT. FAIPULES RETURN THANKS. The text of an interesting speech delivered by Toelupe, an influential Faipule in the Fono. which was held to hear General Richardson’s report concerning his recent short visit to New Zealand, was received by the Minister of Internal Affairs by tlie last mail from Apia, states the Samoa Times. “To use a boating phrase,” said Toelupe, “strong was the rowing thanks to the helmsman. The Faipules have listened to-day to the words of Your <Excelleney accounting your visit to New Zealand, and it is like a refreshing drink of pure water. Our hearts are satisfied. “Moreover, your hones for the future of Samoa clearly indicate to us your great desire for the prosperity of this land which you lead. Probably we have reached the period when it is God’s will to bless Samoa. Probably, too, for this reason you were appointed to Samoa in order that this blessing may be gained for us, for as we have listened we can see these things are in your heart. Our thanks we offer to His Majesty King George V. and the nation of Great Britain. Our thanks to the GovernorGeneral and the Government of New Zealand that they have given to us the government of Samoa for Samoa. Our thanks to Your Excellency, the Governor, for your love. “We, the Fono of Faipules, are satisfied. In the past Samoa was not satisfied, but to-day l there are no more contentions. They are dropped. They are finished—for now we clearly see. We all mutually stand on the same platform for the prosperity of Samoa. Our thanks to the New Zealand Government that the authority has been given to Your Excellency to do all things whatsoever are right for the blessing of Samoa. “Our hearts are filled with a great joy and as we listen to your word in the Bible: ‘Led by still waters.’ ‘His flag of love above us.’ ‘Our cups runneth over.’ Our great thanks to* Your Excellency for your ardent fervour on our behalf and your earnest regard for us. “Now exercise your authority. It shall be treasured not as a decoration for our heads, lest it be blown away by the winds, not as an adornment for our ears, lest it fall to the ground. We will treasure it in our bowels, between our heart and liver, that it may last for ever to be always remembered, never forgotten, but to become a seal unto eternity. “Our thanks to the Parliament of New Zealand for their gracious invitation to the Faipules to .visit and see New Zealand. Our thanks to the Premier of Tonga, for his friendly invitation to the Faipules to see Tonga. The Faipule accept these invitations, and wish to see these lands. There is no anxiety concerning the matters of the Fono because our great work, which has been given us and in which one must engage, is the building up of the advancement and prosperity of Samoa.”