PROGRESS IN SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19141, 6 October 1925, Page 12

PROGRESS IN SAMOA.

ADMINISTRATOR'S WORK. CO-OPERATION OF NATIVES. MANY ENCOURAGING SIGNS. [FROM Ot'B OWN CORRESPONDENT.] APIA. Sept. 31. The last quarterly report to the New Zealand Government on Samoa and the Samoans, submitted by the Administrator. General Richardson, is an interesting document, and makes good reading both from the native aud European standpoint. It shows that the country is making steady progress and the natives are working harder now than ever before. The last Fono of Faipulcs indicates that this organisation is a progressive body. Formerly this body existed, was listened to, and its recommendations taken little or no notice of. It now realises that its advice is being taken, and it feels its responsibility. Formerly it was a ease of long speeches, much drinking and eating, with little or uo discussion of the Government policy. Now it is a case of bard work, with the Government policy outlined, and the Faipules bringing forth all their knowledge and experience of Samoa and its manifold customs, so that the Government and the natives can work in harmony for the development of the country. Getting Rid o! Old Ideas. Progress is naturally slow, because of the conservative nature of the native race, but with all that, the Administrator has been able to point out to the Faipules the necessity of getting rid of some of the old ideas and customs, which are hindering the advancement of the natives. It. is to the credit of these native chiefs that they have been able to see the reason behind the Administrator's argument and agree that some of the old customs must go. The recent malagas of tho Administration through the islands show that tho new ideas are being absorbed. Everywhere there is ex La land cultivation in progress, and sanitation schemes, so necessary in the tropics, are being adopted in all villages. Money-saving by depositing cash with the Post Office Savings Bank-—an unheard-of thing a few years back—is increasing, and each day sees at least two fresh accounts opened. Then the village improvements in planning and beautifying have taken on right through the group; all this points to the fact that the system of governing the natives through the Faipules is the best plan that there is at present, and it is one that is working well. Work of the Faipules. Naturally, it means that we must ha-ve the best Samoan brains in the Faipules, and it is in this direction that reforms will be made in the first instance. Under the former government Faipules were appointed for life, and there are a number of Faipules who are not as active as they should be, probably on account of their age—and some time is necessary in order to get an i efficient team together. Under present arrangements the Faipule is appointed for five years, so that it is possible for the Government to make necessary readjustments. The visit to New Zealand and Tpnga of the Faipules had a far-reaching effect, which can be seen to-day in Samoa with the Native District Councils. This organisation has already commenced to levy its own rates for water supplies and electric light, and for roads and bridges. The proposal to the Faipules to allocate land to individuals instead of the old communal system was adopted because of the strong support received by the Faipules who bad visited New Zealand and Tonga. Another advantage that these visits had was to give the Faipules increased prestige. Everywhere the natives have seen by the cinema films brought back their chiefs being treated with great kindness and respect by the people of New Zealand. The effect on the natives in this connection has been most marked. Change in Marriage Law. Another aspect of the report shows that the old faa, Samoa custom of marrying is at an end. From August 1 faa Samoa marriages are forbidden. The result has been a deluge of marriages, and a small epidemic of divorces. The missionaries are very pleased to find the Samoans coming to the church in such numbers. The Administrator has done something for the missionaries that they were not able to do for themselves.^ The two malagas were dealt with in the report at some length, but reports of these have already been published. For the present it would be sufficient to say thr.t a!.l the speeches made by the orators anil chiefs to the Administrator were to the following effect: — "We are proud to-day to be under the British flag, the flag ' onr forefathers wanted, but could not get. We are proud to form part of the Great British Empire, because we know of its greatness and power, and what it has done for many other backward races. We know that the Samoans are an insignificant people, and that this is an insignificant country, but we will try to make ourselves worthy, and will try to do the things you tell us. We cannot do all you ask at once, but with the help of God we will try to uplift Samoa and our people."