Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, JAN. 2, 1926. THE SAMOAN ADMINISTRATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 28, 2 January 1926, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, JAN. 2, 1926. THE SAMOAN ADMINISTRATION.

The League of Nations has no reason to feel at all dissatisfied with the Samoan administration under the mandatory powers entrusted by it to New Zealand and exercised by the Government of this Dominion. That the Samoan natives are well content to live beneath the protecting- shadow of the “Long- White Cloud” has been placed beyond the possibility of doubt. A few months ago we had a visit from certain chiefs, members of the Council of the Eaipules (Native Parliament) who were the guests of the Government during their stay in New Zealand, and were highly pleased with their treatment and the hospitality tendered them, returning to their native land to speak, doubtless, of the kindness shown them and of the treatment of their Maori kinsmen, who share equal citizenship rights .with the pakeha. And now, a few days ago, Major-General Sir George Richardson, the Administrator, returning- from Samoa on a visit to the Dominion, brings to the Governor-General a tangible proof of the love and confidence reposed in the New Zealand Government by the native Samoans, who have sent to us some of their most important and treasured historic emblems —three things regarded as of “vital importance” to them, which are handed over as (in the words of the Eaipules) “emblematic of our freely depositing with New Zealand our future.” These emblems, consisting of “a fine mat of the Malo,” the “orator’s stave and fue” and the “kava bowl, cup and fau” have a special significance. The first represents the authority of the Government, and, in former days, blood was freely spilt for its possession. The “orator’s stave and fue” represents “the voice that decided kingship and warfare in the days of Samoan government,” and is an heirloom handed down from ancient times. The “kava bowl, cup and fau has been used at all great ceremonial occasions and at all regular assemblies of the Fono and Eaipules.” The Samoans altaoh great value to these emblems of authority and

State, and it is significant of their esteem and goodwill that they should have sent them to His Excellency the GovernorGeneral, to be retained as a proof of their confidence in the Government of New Zealand. The seal was set upon the presentation by the impressive message MajorGeneral Sir Georg-e Richardson brought with him from the Eaipules. “The days are past (so the. message runs) when the ‘voice’ of the malae (power of government) is required—the orator has no longer need to bequeath to his successor the ancient powers invested in him. We live now under the control of a Governor, who reads our hearts, where misunderstandings have no place, where doubt and suspicion cannot thrive. And in this spirit of confidence and trust wo ask His Excellency the Governor-General to . accept this emblem of our ‘voice,’ and use it on our behalf in conveying to the world our aims and desires, and our complete satisfaction with the guardianship of New Zealand.” Impressive in its simplicity and trust, the message bears eloquent testimony to the capable administration, by Major-General Sir George Richardson, of the powers entrusted to him by the New Zealand Government. Infinite credit is due to the Administrator for this pleasing state of affairs. He is evidently held in high esteem by the Samoan people. There was sorrow amongst them at the idea of parting- with the Major-Gen-eral, when it seemed that he was about to end his term of office, but that was replaced by feelings of joy—“a great joy”—when it was known that he was returningto them again “to help us in the carrying out of the measures already commenced for our good and welfare,” as the message ex-, pressed it. Appreciation of and gratitude for the action of the New Zealand Parliament in “placing the Eono of Eaipules on its present footing,” which “has given the Eono a voice in the legislation of the affairs of the Samoan people,” and the “control of Samoan affairs,” comes as a further proof, were such needed, of the contented attitude of the Samoans generally.