FUTURE OF SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16796, 12 March 1918, Page 4

FUTURE OF SAMOA.

CHRISTCHURCH OPINION. RETENTION DEEMED NECESSARY. [BT TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION'.] CHEISTCHURCH. Monday. The Auckland City Council's resolution urging the retention of Samoa after the war, came before the Christehurch City Council this evening. It was moved and seconded that the motion be endorsed, but Mr. E. J, Howard moved an amendment that the question be referred to tho Peace Conference to deal with.

Speaking in support of his amendment, Mr. Howard said he did not like to suggest it, but Auckland being so near Samoa, the original resolution lent itself to the idea of self-interest. Ho knowSamoa fairly well, and declared that it was not worth one New Zealander'6 life, let alone the fact that it might moan sacrifice of 10,000 or 20,000 men to retain it. Labour was opposed to anything being taken by force, " We know by past history," he said, " that if we hold Samoa it means the continuance of conscription in .this country, and that if wo hold it it meant, future war." Miss Ada Wells seconded the' amendment, and said that tho people could not give the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward a mandate except by referendum. The Mayor, Mr. H. Holland, considered that it would be absolute suicide to allow the enemy, who stuck at nothing, to reoccupy the South Pacific Islands.; The amendment was negatived, the motion being carried by 11 votes to 4.

SUPPORT FROM ONEHUNOA. CITY COUNCIL'S RESOLUTION, The resolution passed by the Auckland City Council, urging upon the Dominion's representatives at the forthcoming Imperial Conference the necessity of strenuously advocating the retention by Great Britain of Germany's colonies in the Pacific, was endorsed by the Onehunga Borough Council at its meeting last even* * ing.