Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, JUNE 21, 1926 GERMANY’S LOST COLONIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 21 June 1926, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, JUNE 21, 1926 GERMANY’S LOST COLONIES

DR. SCHNEE’S hook, “Germany’s Colonisation: Past and Future,” which lias just been published, is described by The Reviewer as painstaking hut essentially clumsy I—“ Amid astonishing indictments of British rule lie (Dr. Scluiee) gravely asks whether the unhappy people, ot' ex-German protectorates shall continue to be exposed to decimation by the plagues and diseases with which the British, French, and Belgians are Unable to cope,” “It is time such gross insinuations were refuted,” adds Tfie Reviewer. Dr Schnee charges the Mandatory Powers with incapacity and even with cruelty. We must leave the Australians and others of the Mandatory Nations to speak for themselves, hut we should like to contrast with the German doctor what His Excellency tjie Governor-General had to say in his Speech from the Throne, iri reference to mandated territory administered by New Zealand: —“I am pleased to have been able this year to make an extended tour in the. Cook Islands, Nieue and Western Samoa. Everywhere I was met by warm demonstrations of loyalty and of satisfaction at the efforts which are being made by New Zealand to maintain and irn- ■ ■ ■ . ■•prove the welfare of the native^ population”—words of an eye-witness,’it will bo perceived. “In the mandated territory of Western Samoa I had the opportunity of making myself acquainted with all sections of the population and of studying the system of adnrfinjstralion generally. 'The evidence of progress in every direction is remarkable. The satisfaction displayed by the Natives in their condition of livelihood had ever-increasing efforts to improve tlieir land, their interest in sanitation and education, and the complete confidence which they express in the administrat’on arc most gratifying. I am firmly convinced that the territory is being governed under a wise, just and far-seeing policy, and in accordance with the best traditions of the . British rule ” . There is no need to quote

mtolre pf Sir Charles Fergusson’s tribute to the success with which' the Samoans- are being looked after and protected by the New Zealand Government through the agency of Sir George Richardson, the able and successful administrator of Western Samoa. Dr. Schnee’s strictures, so far as they refer to New Zealand’s mandate, are a t-issue tof falsehoods, and it is bbth fitting and proper that the press - of New 'Zealand should Cell him and his readers the true position. The Samoans arc happy in their lot and are on the high-road to prosperity. As they themselves say to their administrator, “You have given us hope and faith in ourselves, /we have begun to live again. With your help we shall- become a numerous and prosperous people.” The difference between thia Germans’ administration of Western. Samoa and New Zealand’s is this: the German administration had as its object the increase of . German trade, the primary object of New Zealand’s .administration is the wfjdfare of the ISamoans. The Samoans know this, and are quick to'appreciate it, and to voice .their appreciation. Than which there is no better evidence of tlieir devotion to their administrator and the Government of New Zealand.