IN SAMOA

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 15 September 1928, Page 9

IN SAMOA

ADMINISTRATION APPROVED THE USjE OF FORCE. AN IMPORTANT STATEMENT. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Press Association —United Service.) Received 10.5 a.m. to-day. GENEVA, Sept. 14. A Swiss delegate M. Rappard, who has been for a long time associated with the Mandates Commission, expressed an important opinion on Samoa during the Sixth Committee’s discussion on the mandates. He said that the unrest and resistance had put the Government in the impossible position of being unable to govern. Thus General Richardson, the administrator, to whom he desired to pay a tribute, very properly asked for assistance in maintaining order. Two warships were sent, but were told not to use force as it might create an unfortunate impression in the League. It was most unfortunate that respect for the League should prevent the Government from maintaining order and governing. If a Government’s ward was naughty, then it must be taught to obey. They desired it to.be known that the League in nowise wished to tie the Government’s hands in main- : taining order. Such direct comment, not appearing in the Mandates Commission’s report, greatly strengthens the approval of General Richardson’s administration and also more directly suggests that there is no need for timidity in face of an agitation lest the League he offended.