STIRRING UP THE SAMOANS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 December 1926, Page 2

STIRRING UP THE SAMOANS.

MIXING EUROPEAN AND NATIVE POLITICS | WELLINGTON, Last Night. On the occasion of a meeting held at Apia, on November 12th, attended by over 600 Samoans and Europeans, the Acting-Secretary to the Administrator read a letter in which General Richardson stated that a serious error had been made in asking Samoans to discuss politics which affected only Europeans. Freedom of spdech, and honest criticism of the Government were not barred in anv way, but unwarranted attacks on the Faipules could not be passed over by him without it being misunderstood by the natives. He wished certain persons clearly to undei - stand that the effect 1 of bringing natives into the European pontlca. arena was unwise .and Tk-ly to .trouble. If they persisted they were doing a thing unheard of in the annals of Colonial Administration. He asked the natives to refrain from co--operating with Europeans in their t agitation on matters, which do not concern the Samoan. ' I wish all people here to understand that I do not approve of a political meeting which mixes native politics with European politics, as its tendency must be to disturb peace, order and > good government of the natives, concluded the letter. . The chairman (Hon. O. F. Nelson) said that the interests of the natives and Europeans of Samoa were inseparable. The natives were 95 per cent of the population, the largest taxpayers, and not represented in the Legislative Council. On the motion of Hon. Westbrook, it was decided to go on with the business for which the meeting was especially called. The report of the meeting was submitted to the Minister of External Affairs (Hon. W. Nosworthy). He said that the Fono of Faipules. which had recently been in session, advised him on December 10th of the conclusion of a very satisfactory Fono, ~*id with its great satisfaction with the position ,in Samoa at the present time. The Fono as at present constituted, had the entire sympathy and fullest supj port of the New Zealand Govern(ment, which also had the fullest conIfidence in th e Administrator.