SAMOAN UNREST

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 2 March 1928, Page 5

SAMOAN UNREST

SOURCE OF THE TROUBLE. PROHIBITION AND COPRA. HX-OOMM.ISSIONER’S VIKWS. IJJV TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASdUOIATIOE.j GRIEYMOUTH, March t. Mr. Ciuicßsiianii, ex-Commissioner of Police and Prisons at Samoa, m an interview to-day, matie an' interesting statement concerning the crisis .'.t Samoa. Mr. Cruicksliank is on a holiday visit to Grcyniouth. He retired from tile police lorce in 1923 alter seiving i.i years, and went out with 1-lie rank of superintendent? Me visited the O'ld Country and, while in London, accepted the post of Commissioner in Samoa. He commenced duty in January, 1922, and, during the tour years lie had the position, reorganised the Samoa police and prison service. “Speaking without bias, personal, financial or political, 1 will give the facts relating to the trouble in Samoa,” said Mr. Cruicksliank. “I- know personally Messrs. Nelson, Smith and Purr, also Messrs. Westbrook. Williams and ail the other members of 'he Citizens’ Committee, a self-constituted organisation whose interest as traders is to make profits in contrast to the Administration, the object of which is to administer the affairs of the islands for the benefit of all, and especially in the interests of the natives themselves, who are quite incapable and will be so for years to carry out administration themselves, even in the minor branches. “The trouble in Samoa arises from only two sources, namely, prohibition and copra. Ever since prohibition was inaugurated there has been an agitation to restore the licensed bar, and it continues as strongly as ever, notwithstanding statements to the contrary. Speaking from my knowledge of the natives and half-castes 1 am satisfied that the- open bar and the sale of intoxicating liquor for personal gain, even with restrictions, is certainly not in the best interests of either the natives or the half-castes, nor of die European residents. ONLY A HALF TRUTH. “Some politicians have publicly stated that administrative officials are; violating the law by manufacturing liquor That is only a half-truth. The fact is that a European in such a climate cannot drink much water and keep healthy. A light beer is brewed and, it not over 3 per cent, alcoholic strength, is allowed by law. Many Europeans, including the administrative officials, make this beverage, which is quite l&iriul; in fact a number of traders manufacture and sell it to anyone who wishes to buy, including natives. “In American Samoa, >0 miles distant, all the copra is collected from the natives by the American Administration and sold in the highest market, the proceeds being handed over to the natives, but in Western Samoa the Burns, Philip and Nelson Companies and a few smaller traders purchase all the natives’ copra. The price of copra, is practically decided by the Nelson and Burns, Philip traders. The Administrator, who has the native interest at heart, intimated that he intended to collect native copra and market it on behalf of the natives so that they would get a better price for copra. Up to this point all was well. There was no Mau, no agitation and no trouble. The trouble started after a visit made to New Zealand by Mr. 0. F. Nelson ancl the Mau was set up. Sir George Richardson's administration is appreciated by everybody except some beachcombers.' who must find fault with everybody and everything. _ No Administrator, including the political critics in New Zealand, could possibly get on with Mr. Nelson unless they carried out his ideas and wishes. “I *\m under no obligration to General Richardson, who is just the same to me as anyone else. During the years I spent in Samoa I made a special study of the natives’ psychology. The thirty-two native constables under me were all chiefs, and J. was able to gather information from them as to how the new administrative ideas were taking on among the natives generally. N ATIVE BANISHMENT.

“General Richardson does not consider himself at all. He is working wholly and solely in the interests of the natives. No. man could have done better than he has done :n Samoa, with regard to the medical, educational, moral and sanitary ivelfare of the natives.

“Much political capital has been made out of the term ‘banishment,’ but it is unwarranted. In Samoa banishment means this : A chief or native of lesser rank often leaves ins own village and goes to stay at another. His conduct, moral and otherwise, becomes obnoxious and the villagers complain to the polenu (the native responsible for the conduct or the village). If he considers the complaint justified he sends it on to the faipule, the native member of Parliament, who requests the Administrator to have the offending native removed. Inquiries are then made by departmental officers. If they regard the complaint as well founded and consider there is likely to be a serious disturbance in the village the Administrator issues an order for the native to leave the village and return to his own. “The Man is really as assemblage of those in Government positions. A great deal has been made by political critics in New: Zealand of what they alleged to be ‘big stick’ methods employed by the Government. Recently half a dozen unarmed police constables wore sent to Samoa, and the critics made a terrible noise about such tremendous demonstrations ol ioice. 'There were only two European police officers in Samoa, and half-a-dozen constables brought the force to eight all told. There are about 30 native police, but they cannot be whoiiy depended upon in a crisis. r lhc population ol Samoa is 10,000. The. natives number 33,000. Of the remaining ‘2OOO only 500 anil 000 are Europeans, the remainder being half-castes. Can any sane man sav that eight- European police for 40,000 inhabitants, scattered over the two islands of Samoa, is a number in excess of even ordinary requirements? 1 think the ‘big stick’ has been in the hands of the Til an which is really a-Gov-ernment in opposition to the Administion. “General Richardson invited the Man to discuss their grievances but they have no real grievances.