Position In Samoa

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 201, 9 August 1927, Page 7

Position In Samoa

DIVIDED OPINIONS. “A BILIOUS ATTACK.” (Special to “Tribune.”) Auckland, Aug. 9. There were divided opinions among the passengers on the Tofua yesterday regarding the position in Samoa. Perhaps the most enlightening remark was made by one passenger who said that- General Richardson had given everyone too much rope and was now finding it difficult to “pull back again.” Colonel J. W. Hutchen. C.M.G., Secretary to the Administration of Samoa, who is coming to New Zealand on furlough, stated that there was no obvious sign of any unrest or demonstration. Mrs Smythe, the wife of Mr. A. G. Smythe, a member of the Citizens’ Committee, said that trouble was brewing. Chiefs were being: handcuffed and forced to leave their villages and the people resented the military dictatorship which was in evidence

Mr. R. M, Watson, who was the first Chief Justice of Samoa, and who had returned after an absence of seven years, said that he saw no signs of unrest or demonstration. Others of the passengers gave equally diverse views. Colonel Hutchen said that he did not wish to say anything. The whole question could be left to the Minister, the Hon. W. Nosworthy, and the Citizens’ Committee of Samoa. This committee had gone over the heads of the Administration. He did not think the trouble would last any length of time. Every country had a “bilious attack” every now and then and Samoa was having one at the moment. There had been a similar disturbance and trouble during the time the Germans occupied Samoa.

Mr Watson, who is well acquainted with conditions in Samoa, said that he saw nothing unusual. The whole of the territory had improved as far as he could see and natives were very much better in health. The town of Apia was a much better town than it was seven years ago. One passenger who has spent some time in Samoa said that- the so-called trouble was merely political. In private life the members of the apposing parties were quite good friends.