GOVERNING SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17429, 26 March 1920, Page 5

GOVERNING SAMOA.

THE DOMINION'S MANDATE.

REQUESTS BY RESIDENTS.

FINANCE AND LEGISLATURE

Some of the matters brought by the | Citizens' Committee under the notice of Sir James Allen and the members of the Parliamentary party while in Samoa were dealt -with by the Minister in a speech at a gathering at Apia on March 9. Regarding the request for a municipality for Apia he said he was in favour of such a course when the time was ripe, but he did not be-' lieve it was ripe now. There were .difficulties of franchise. Were Germans and halfcastes to vote ; were the natives to pay rates, and should they have a vote, and so on? Referring to education, Sir James Allen regretted the statement in the citizens' pamphlet that the resultsaof the New Zealand Government's work had so far not been encouraging. He recognised the valuable work done by the missionaries in the islands of the Pacific(applause)and he Considered there was no need fer the Government to interfere with them. They •would, in fact, assist them in any way possible. Sir James did not agree with the assertion that the new constitution avowedly aimed at the destruction of Samoa as a self-governing community. Touching on the question of finance, the Minister said New Zealand expected Samoa to find a certain amount of money for works to be carried out. New Zealand was willing to advance money for reproductive works at 5 per cent, and 1 per cent, sinking fund, the works including water, electric lighting, ah accommodation house, cold storage, etc. The New Zealand Government would also advance loans on non-productive works, etc, free of interest, to be paid back when Samoa could afford to refund the loan.

Sir' James said he did not agree 'with the request that the Legislative Council should be made elective. The nominative system had been in force in the Cook' group for many years and a representative of the "whites on the Advisory Council was now to be elected, and as soon as the elective principle could be applied to Samoa it would be; but Samoa was not ready for it at the moment. He was in sympathy with the request of the planters for representation on the Council. Replying to a reference in the committee's .. pamphlet to the Samoan constabulary, Sir James Allen challenged the. statement that it would cost £30,000 'a year. In any event, New Zealand would foot the" bill* and this fact was known hi Samoa. As to the complaint that Samoa was not officially informed of the decision to bring police from New Zealand, he explained that to announce the despatch of the force would have meant the disclosure of the intention to evacuate the military force, and this was not advisable. The Government anticipated that the change would be welcome as making the first definite act in the reversion to cisril administration. The Minister added: "Though you may not see good reason for sending the constabulary to Samoa, the New Zealand Government does see reason which at the present moment I am unable to disclose."