GREATLY IMPRESSED.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 31 December 1924, Page 5

GREATLY IMPRESSED.

THE VISIT OF THE SAMOAN FAILPULE. NEW ZEALAND' A WONDERFUL COUNTRY. : AUCKLAND, Dec. 29. The party of Samoan faipule, the “wise men” of Samoa, are greatly impressed with New Zealand. “New Zealand is a country that will prosper; the people abide by Gospbl,” remarked Toelupe, one of the grand old men of Samoa, in an interview, yesterday. Surrounded by the makings of the white man, and in an environment that was essentially European, the faipule sat in the drawing-room of the Y.M.G.A. after tea peacefully smoking their pipes, and untouched by the modernism of everything.; They could be, likened to rare pieces of china in an up-to-date . bungalow. Here they\ were, their feet . curled up under their lava lavas, their brown tweed coates an imposition of ' Christianity that detracted from their ' grandeur and picturesqueness, silent' , and wise, a characteristic of their, race,, but ever courteous and approachable.. The very antithesis of things was striking. If only one could have penetrated their minds of read' the thoughts in their keen clear eyes one may have gleaned that despite their- genuine pleasure of being in, the land of the white man they were yet dreaming of the land of their fathers, the land that Tusitala loved and sung the praises of • through the pen. But who could tell. Toelupe', speaking .through an inter-, preter, gave some of his impressions of New Zealand ‘gained during his visit here. New Zealand was indeed a wonderful country, and his first visit' to the land of a white man had confirmed him of its greatness. The factories, and the • • industries of this country were things to he wondered at. livery where lie went he saw prosperity,* happiness, and the brotherhood of mankind—things, that ensure the future prosperity and greatness of the land:

The hospitality and the 'kindness, of the people, said Toelupe, were things that would ever be remembered; things that made them love and admire the pakeha. Their anticipation of the greatness of the Dominion was realised. Everything they‘saw, pleased them. New Zealand Was everything good that they imagined it to be. The various churches were very kind to entertain them. Everything was welcome. The roads and the sanitary conditions could not be betiter, while the scenery was beautiful, and much of it gave them cause for admiration.''

“The people of New Zealand abide by the Gospel,” said Toelupe. “This is .something that we-praise and think good.” ,

In reply to a question Toelupe said that he was pleased with New Zealand’s administration of Samoa. All the orders, he realised, were for the gobd of bis land, and lie knew that the right thing was • being done. Throughout' New Zealand the Government officials bad been nothing but kindness itself to. the party,' and the white man’s rule was just as good. Toelupe asked the .interviewer how the people 'of the Dominion were impressed with the party’s visit, and when lie was informed that New- Zealand was protid and glad to have them here, a smile lit his grand old face. The fainnle are returning to Samoa, on the Tofua which is to sail from Auckland on the 3rd January.