AFFAIRS IN SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19476, 4 November 1926, Page 13

AFFAIRS IN SAMOA.

MINISTER'S DEFERRED VISIT* SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION [jtbom om own coßJU!flH>NDjnns.|l i ' Al>U. Oat, 23. Germany's recent entry into the League o! Nations, the approaching triennial election of the Europeans representatives to the local Legislative Council, together with the expressed intentioa of the Hon. W. Nosworthy, the new Minister of External Affairs, to visit this territory, art) probably the reasons for the present active interest in local political affairs. The present elected members, the Hons. 0. F. Nelson, G. E. L. West brock and A. Williams, called a mating oi the public to discuss local politics, including the liquor law and any other matters citizens might wish to bring forward, the object Being to make a formal tion to the new Minister.

The meeting was held on Octobw 16 and was well attended and wel!l-con-ducted. There were a fair aumbur of. natives present, principally from in and around Apia. None of th<» constituted native leaders was present. The;? apparently had no desire to take pwrt in European controversies. They appreciate the very sympathetic treatment that is meted out to the Samoans by the Government -through their own legally-con-stituted channels.

the citizens, wofd came that the Minister could not visit this year, and the unthusiaim of to-day, must remain bottled up until next year. It ie rather disappointing for the residents, as they were looking forward with great interest and hope to the visit. Tt ia not the first time we have been disappointed in thißwwaty t although everyone appreciates the fact that the Minister is a busy man and must find i* hafd to get away from New Zealand at this time. The business of the meeting was, howev*,?:, allowed to proceed. Many matters were discussed, and when the Minister does arrive ia Samoa hj« will have to answer quite a number of quesions. Many of the matters, including the liquor question, have been befo're the local Legislative Council at various times. Some of the? matters discussed w«re: — New Zealand Estates funds, planters, Fetn o Bamoa (Boy Scouts), wharf, revenue and expenditure, native policy, Legislative Council, medical, public works, faioules and prohibition. Most of these subjects have been worn threadbare long ago. A committee has been appointed • meet the Minister when he arrives, or, if he does not arrive at an early date, to frame a petition of some sort, setting out the troubles and difficulties.