MR. NELSON AND SAMOA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3834, 21 August 1928, Page 3

MR. NELSON AND SAMOA.

LEAGUE COMMISSION EXPRESSES CENSURE. Wellington, August 18. The text of the report of the Permanent Mandates Commission of the League of Nations on its recent examination of the Samoan question yvas issued by the Prime Minister to-day as folloyvs:— The Commission has made a detailed study of the report of the Royal Commission into events yvhich occurred in the Samoan Islands in 1926 and 1927, and of the documents forwarded by the mandatory Poyver. It has also carefully considered the petitions addressed to it and heard the additional explanation given by Sir James Parr and Sir George Richardson, former Administrator. It is the considered opinion of the Commission that none of the charges of any importance against the administration has been substantiated, and that none contains any evidence of policy or action contrary to the mandate.On the contrary the local administration seems to have made every effort to improve the conditions of life of the native population, notably in regard to public health and education, as well as agricultural production and commerce.

The Commission cannot too strongly condemn the action of Mr. Nelson and those associated with him, who seem to have been inspired less by a desire for public welfare than by personal ambition and interests. By unworthy means they yvorked upon the minds of an impressionable people vfho prior to their propaganda, showed no signs of discontent. The Commission is satisfied that the Administrator acted yvith great patience, if not perhaps ahvavs yvith sufficient psychological insight, and showed a forbearance and confidence in the people vvdiich may have been misunderstood, and so to some extent may have undermined his authority. The lamentable absence of sufficient means to enforce the layvs yvhich it was his duty to uphold, placed him in an extremely difficult situation, and this situation yvas made all the more delicate by the uncertain attitude of the Goveniment.

The Commission noted yvith satisfaction the action taken by Neyv Zealand in setting up an impartial commission of inquiry and in communicating to the League its report. In vieyv of the statement that the unrest in Samoa will probably continue until the League comes to a decision, the Commission considers it of the greatest importance that it should be clearly understood that the mandatory Poyver alone is responsible for maintaining layv and order in accordance with the mandate. The Commission is assured that adequate means for that purpose are noyv at the disposal of General Richardson’s successor, and it trusts that the Samoans, when they realise that they have been misled, will resume their former attitude of confidence in the Administration, and that the mandatory Poyver will soon be able to reestablish peace and prosperity in Western Samoa by a policy both firm and liberal.