MISSION TO SAMOA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 200, 14 July 1936, Page 10

MISSION TO SAMOA

. NATIVES SUBMIT POINTS. REFORAIS AND COMPENSATION. (From the special representative of the United Press Association witli tho Official N.Z. Alission.) APIA, June 30. Five points were submitted to the goodwill delegates from New Zealand, Hon. F. Langstone and Air J. O’Brien, ALP., when they o met representatives of the Alan at A'aimoso yesterday. The requests, which were put in writing and handed to the delegation by Fanniuina, president of the Mau, were as follow: 1. AVhat is our p'esent status in our own country? 2. AVo ask for the removal of all harsh laws employed in Samoa and not in New Zealand. 3. AYe ask for reparation of our valuable goods destroyed by the New Zealand Forces and consideration for families of those who died; also those who were wounded and suffered at the hands of the New Zealand Forces and policy, including those who were sent to gaol. 4. AVe ask for reparation of the money expended by us in tins eon’troye.sy and the cost of litigation in respect of the harsh laws imposed on us. 5. AYe ask that all positions in the Government he open to Samoans according to tiieir Knowledge and ability.

The Alinister, who replied to the points in the order lit which they were submitted, said that the Samoans were under the protection of the British flag, and, therefore, were on an equal status with the people ot New Zealand.

A Samoan chief interposed that under German rule Samoa was a protectorate, and not a mandated territory.

The Ali,nister said that New Zealand had an obligation to the League ot Nations to administer Western Samoa. Tne trust was a sacred one. 11 tne League decided that the country should ue handed hack to Germany, then the Dominion would have no option but to hand it over. Personally, he hoped that would not happen. New Zealand had a responsibility to educate and train the Samoans to the point where they could practically administer their own affairs, and to lovercoiue some of the difficulties he was prepared to recommend the Prime Armister to ineieaso the Samoan representation ,in the Samoan .Legislative Council from two to lour, and to arrange to refer to New Zealand any representations from a large minority winch opposed any particular Ordinance. The proposal, if adopted, would give greater weight to Samoan opinion. The Government were anxious to promote the best possible relations between the people and the Administration, and no effort would be spared to acliici e that ideal.

The Alinister said that in order to provide the Samoan with a greater income an endeavour would ho made to increase the price paid to the grower of bananas from 4s Gd to 5s it ease during the balance of the present contract, which would expire in December next. Representations had been made hv tho merchants that the export tax of £1 10s a toil on • copra was hampering them in their trading as compared with Fiji, which only had lo find 2s Gd a ton. The merchants had given an assurance that any reduction in tho export tax would be passed on to the growers. The position was that about 14,000 tons of copra were exported from AVestern Samoa every year, and the tax of £f 10s brought m £21,0000 in revenue. If a reduction were made consideration would have to be given to the question of making up that loss. About £IOO,OOO was required yearly to run Western Samoa. Ho trusted that the problem would he gone into fully by the Samoan people themselves.

NO HARSH LAWS. Coming to question No. 2, the Minister said that the delegation was in complete sympathy with the request. No harsh laws would be permitted, and if there were any still in existence they' would be removed at the earliest possible moment. A meeting of the Legislative Council would be called to revoke the regulations affecting the Alau. So far as the next question was concerned, it was impossible for the Government to consider granting compensation for goods destroyed and lives lost during the trouble a few years ago. The Labour l’arty could not hold itself responsible for what had occurred in the past, hut so long as it remained the Government it would accept full responsibility for any acts in the future. All the money in the world could not bring back the late Tamusese or compensate the people of Samoa for their suffering. “What we want to do,” continued the Minister, “is to start out on a new day. Let us go forward united in friendship, and let us forgJt ibe past, even although it may hurt our hearts. ' Dealing with the request lor a refund of the money spent m litigation, Air Langstone said the people in New Zealand had spent tens of thousands of pounds fighting for justice. With the election of Labour many of their wrongs had been righted, hut the money they had spent in bringing about the political change had gene lor ever. That, alter all, must necessarily he so. Ho hoped the Samoans would look at things in the same light In replying to question No. 5, Air Langstone said it was the policy of the present Government to make openings for Samoans with ability, and where possible that policy would be given effect to. New Zealand hoped that some day Samoa would be able to govern itself and to show the world a lead in certain directions. Every Europcan official in the territory was required to deal with the natives as sympathetically as possible ami to acquaint himself with their problems. A departmental officer was alleged to have stated that there was to be no change in the administration, in the personnel or in the form of government. Every official, high or low, would he expected to carry out the policy of the Government, and if he failed lie would be replaced. “All wo are concerned about is your welfare,” added the Minister. “We arc anxious that our name will shine as high as the sun, and that it will not be” tarnished by the dark cloud of worry and turmoil.” Air O’Brien said he hoped that as a result of the meeting that day any i doubt or suspicion in the minds of I the- Samoans as to the delegates’ honesty of purpose would he dispelled. Air Langstone and himself had set their hearts on bringing about goodwill among all the people, and he trusted they would not go away disappointed. Samoa should be thankful that it was under the British Flag, because without that protection it might find itself in the hands of some ; uncivilised' country. The Abyssinians were a brave people, and although they had fought valiantly science and

modern methods of warfare had robbed them of their country. “We won’t allow anything like that to take place in Samoa,” said Mr O’Brien. ‘.‘The British Empire is standing behind you. We want you to lead your own lives and to bo as happy as possible in what we believe is the most wonderful country in the world. We want to see you united among yourselves, and you can rest assured we will do everything possible to meet .your wishes.” The meeting ended with expressions of goodwill from t-lie Mali ’chiefs?'