AFFAIRS IN SAMOA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 239, 6 September 1933, Page 8

AFFAIRS IN SAMOA.

DISCUSSIONS WITH MAU

ADMINISTRATOR’S FRANK TALK

(Special to Press Association.) APIA, Aug. 24. Since early in June the Mau leaders have been meeting with the Administrator, Brigadier-General H. E. Hart, practically every week, with a view to holding a fono, or meeting, to discuss matters. A request that Hon. O. E. Nelson be allowed to attend with the Samoans was made at each meeting, but was refused on each occasion by the Administrator. The Administrator eventually closed the negotiations, and in doing so addressed the Mau leaders. He pointed out that he had endeavoured to open the door to friendship, goodwill and co-operation, but they had turned their backs on a favourable opportunity. He had been prepared not only to consider their requests, which to a large extent dealt with the past, but he had also been prepared to bring forward a number of matters which dealt particularly with the improvement and welfare of the Samoan people. They included such subjects as the education of the people, the question of opening additional grade II schools, the appointment of ' additional school teachers, opening more hospitals or dressing stations where none exist to-day, improving sanitation, and general matters affecting the health of the people. He was also prepared to discuss the question of the appointment of native judges, and what steps might be taken to improve the prestige and authority of chiefs and orators, which lie had, been informed had decreased to a large extent during the last six or seven years since the Mau had been preaching disobedience. As a result of their decision the discussion. of all these matters must be put off. While they had been squabbling and arguing about past events they had lost a great opportunity of providing for the present and future of the Samoan people. Whenever they felt disposed to meet him in fono he would he prepared to do so. In fairness he should tell them, lest this should be their last meeting and his last opportunity of doing so, that they would revert to the original position, and the law must be observed. If the law were broken the offenders - would be brought to justice. If anyone suffered for breaches of the law they must not blame the police, the navy, o'- the courts, which would be doing their duty. The only persons really to hlame would be those who kept the Mau going, and those who broke the law. He mentioned this matter as an ordinary statement of fact, and as a statement of the conditions under which they lived. He did not want anybody to be taken by surprise or be disappointed.