SAMOAN GRIEVANCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18169, 15 August 1922, Page 8

SAMOAN GRIEVANCES.

ADMINISTRATION UPHELD.

CAPACITY OF THE SERVICE.

A great deal has already been written manner in which New Zealand is carrying out her trust in administering Western Samoa, writes " St. Andrew's," in the Sydney Morning Herald. Some of tho criticism has been true, but a largo proportion of it lias been coloured with tho brush of prejudice, a prejudice of the " old timer." I recognise that the " old timers " have some cause for complaint in the suddenly imposed prohibition, out there is a deeper disaffection, which is really using prohibition as camouflage. Proceeding, ho suggests that among the "old timers " is to be found anti-British feeling, and alludes to the power they have developed through their environment of magnifying trifles. Imagine then the upset when New Zealand came along, the writer continues. A flood of clean-living young fellows, with ideals of ; a civilised land, come in and take charge of the country in a very thorough way. The old beachcomber, to his amazement, is not consulted. He is put where he belongs, and the native has to " toe the mark," drawn by a smart lot of young men. who care for him in no way at all, save that he obeys orders. No more does a fat chief waddle into tho best room and squat on the best chair in the Government buildings, and no more is he called " Sir" by the white ruler. But he has to walk smartly, and state his business clearly, and then go. The New Zealander treats tho native as he should be treated, and as ho likes to be treated. But here the "old timer " comes in. He will not let the nativo alone. Always he is telling him —the simple Samoan—that he is being deliberately insulted. Day and night underground communications aro going on. The native is being continually prodded into a sense of grievance. There has been a rumpus against the new Government steam laundry. When the Government people came they gave out their washing to natives in the old style, and thought no more about it. But later they found that the villagers (often the victims of festering sores), were acquiring the habit, when going on a formal round of calls, of using a coat or a shirt or a skirt from among the " washing." The Administrator promptly put up a sja*rt steam laundry. Immediately the '■ old timers " held n public meeting of indignation that tho Government should take the bread out of the mouths " of the poor Samoan washerwomen."