DOMINION'S MANDATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19697, 25 July 1927, Page 11

DOMINION'S MANDATE.

HISTORY OF ADMINISTRATION

HIGH IDEALISTIC PURPOSE.

WELL-BEING OF THE NATIVES.

Western Samoa was occupied by New Zealand troops on August 30, 1914. For the first time in the history of the Empire an overseas Dominion captured a foreign possession. For five years the territory was in military occupation, the commander being Colonel Logan. 110 was succeeded by Colonel R. W. Tate, who became first Administrator under the Mandate, and in March, 1923, he was succeeded by the present occupant of the post, Major-General Sir G. S. Richardson.

It was not to be imagined that a change from the rule of Germany through a period of British military occupation to that of New Zealand on behalf of the League of Nations, whose definite purpose is to lead tho native people toward self-government, could be accomplished without some friction and the wonder is that there has been so little friction, seeing that small things are liable to loom large in a tropical isle. Tho first controversy, very loud locally, but of very minor comparative importance, was the liquor prohibition law. Samoan Europeans rose in their wrath at this interference with their liberty, and one can understand their point of view, but as this interference was solely due to the accident of these people being residents of a country for the well-being of the natives of which the League of Nations was concerned, the reasonable view was one of philosophical acquiescence. The uproar died down and seeing that alcohol may bo obtained upon a medical certificate there is no need for anxiety over the liquor rights of a few hundred Europeans in the territory. Few "Cloud Bursts." Years have gone by and the effect of cheering reports as to the work of the administration has not been dissipated by "cloud-bursts," which are liable to be heavy in the tropics. Possibly their energy has been slowly accumulating, but the fact remains undisputed that the admiftistration, true to its obligations, has advanced the well-being of tho natives in a very marked degree, notably in the zones of health, education and agriculture.

One of the finest tributes it has had has come from the disinterested pen of i)r. S. M. Lambert, of the International Health Board of the Rockefeller Foundation, who made a health survey of Samoa with special reference to hookworm disease. His report is to be found in the Parliamentary papers of 1925. It is too long to be summarised, but extracts are eloquent. "The annual malaga or journey, made by the Governor and some of his staff around the territory," says Dr.' Lambert, "is unique in my experience and remarkable for-its simplicity and the results in obtaining the confidence of the native and his interest and co-opera-tion in measures for his own benefit,.'' White Man and Native. Dr. Lamhert's detailed observations of the health campaigns indicate their comprehensive efficiency. His conclusions might be quoted. "The average white man," ho says, "sits in the shade in the South Seas and talks of the lazy native and criticises Government for not compelling (always the same word), the native to this thing or that, which will benefit him (the white man), with never a thought for the native himself, in the first place, the native is not lazy when he is interested or wants to hold a job. Where Nature is so bountiful and the necessities of life are so easily obtained as in most Pacific Islands, natives do not seek hard work any more than whites would under similiar circumstances. . . ." "In Samoa," Dr. Lambert concludes, "we have a long-visioned Administration, which is giving every support to a strong Native Department and a modern Department of Public Health, these two working hand-in-hand. Yaws is well under control and may be eradicated in the near future. Hookworm control measures are well advanced and will now be prosecuted with tho vigour given to the yaws campaign. Adequate' sanitation, proper latrines and pure water supply are gradually being installed in all villages. Definite plans are undertaken for childwelfare work in native villages with tho New Year. Natives' Debts to Traders. "Even thus early these measures are being reflected in increasing .populations of healthy, happy Samoans. A few years and they will mean dividends on the investment for the country, which, after all, must be the criterion of the success of a humanitarian effort if it is to be enduring." Two or three years ago the Administration set up the Fono of Faipules, a kind of native Parliament, which makes native regulations, many of which have been entirely of native initiative. A list of some of the regulations so passed may disclose matters that have a bearing upon tho present agitations. One notices that last year there was a regulation for the prohibition on contracting debts with traders Who knows how far the ramifications of this enactment extend ? Whatever be the rights or wrongs of the deportateion law, intelligent people will not be stampeded by the agitation into r. general condemnation of the Administration, which has tackled a heavy task with every evidence of idealistic purpose.