SELF GOVERNMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1936, Page 5

SELF GOVERNMENT

SAMOANS’ DESIRE DISCUSSION WITH DELEGATION. (Per Press Association—Copyright). APIA, July 20. When the goodwill -delegates, "Messrs Langstone and O’Brien, arrived at Vaimoso this morning to resume their conference with the (Samoan representatives, they were received hy about sixty Mau guardsmen, armed with batons. This is the first time for a number of years that members of the movement as a body have paraded in public with their batons. The whole day was spent in a friendly exchange of views, with no finality reached, except on the question of whether the native advisers to the Legislative Council should be re-elected with the Mau participating, and on which divergent opinions are held by the two political sections, in Western Somoa. It was agreed that the matter should be further discussed among the villages themselves, and their decisions, if any, be, reported to a gathering to be held in September. High Chief Tamasese suggested that the delegation ;shoulc\, recopnrjend the Government to 1 ■change Samoa from a mandated temikmj; protectorate. It vas the desire of the Samoans, lie said, to manage their" own. affairs. “‘AM right,” 'said Mr Langstone, if you are stupid enough to. believe that you'would be better off that way, Ave.ll go right ahead! We don’t want Samoa! We don’t want your bananas! We don’t want the Maui Pomare! When you get a Protectorate, see wl\ere it Avill land you. You Avill b'e in for a hot time, believe me. As J have said, on dozens of occasions, our sole desire is to act as big brothers and to do everything possible in your interests.”

Chief Tamasese said that the Samoans Avere not concerned about money, because they could get along quite well Avithout money. They did hot Avant to break away from Britain They Avanted the protection of the New Zealand Government, but the right to manage their OAvn affairs.

Tuimalealiifauo, an ancient High chief and an. old friend of Robert Louis Stevenson, begged the Minister not to be angry and to excite Samoa, because it was still sick.

The meeting concluded at a late hour, leaving th e delegates., Avith the impression that there is little prospect of an agreement on the main issues until Mr 0. F. Nelson’s return on Wednesday.

The Minister has agreed to, hold an all-day . conference Avith Mr Nelson and the Mau on Thursday. The goodwill mission Avill leave for New Zealand that evening, r