RULE IN SAMOA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 248, 17 September 1936, Page 10

RULE IN SAMOA

COMMUNICATION TO PREMIER. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Wept. 16. When his attention was called to the cablegram from Sydney reporting the remarks of Mr R. W. Robson regarding the administration of Western Samoa, the Prime Minister (Mr Savage) said Mr O. F. Nelson was in a better position to sum up the political situation than Mr Robson. He had received from Mr Nelson a memorandum outlining the position in Samoa and in a covering letter Mr Nelson said he was only sorry that time did not permit of his doing more towards the end of bringing fruition to the generous policy of the New Zealand Government while the Ministerial delegation was in Samoa, but the foundation had been laid for mutual goodwill and confidence which was the basis of good relations between governors and the governed and co-operation between the Mau and the Administration, and which he would do his utmost to foster. This augured well for the future. Tho responsibility placed on the Samoans to resume tho conduct of their own local affairs had already borne good results in that many minor differences in the villages and districts which might have led to major .issues had been settled by tho good offices of the Samoan chiefs and kept out of Court. Tho term “Malo,” which applied only to such Samoans as those who held office in the Administration, would soon apply to the whole of the Samoans, especially after the men had taken part in the election or selection of their own representatives to the faipule or Legislative Council and other public offices. Mr Savage said Mr Nelson had thanked tho Government for his return to his homeland and for tho opportunity given him to serve his proper and mandatory Government. He had expressed best wishes for a long continuance in office of the present Government.