DESPOTISM IN SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20570, 22 May 1930, Page 8

DESPOTISM IN SAMOA.

THE AMERICAN METHOD.

POWERS OF NAVAL GOVERNOR SUCCESSFUL AND POPULAR. ADVANTAGES, OVER CIVIL RULE. Extracts from an articlo on New Zealand's government of Western Samoa, contributed to the Times by Miss M. rVrhnrn, a liliodesTravelling Fellow, were published yesterday. In a second article, Miss Perhnm surveys tlie administration of the -American portion of Samoa. In an introductory note, she remarks that the group lias the advantage of ono of the best harbours in the Pacific. From 1900 until recently, America ruled this island paradise by means of one of the most complete despotisms in the world, says Miss Perham. The commandant of the naval station is also, by Hppointment from the President, Governor of American Samoa,' with its 9000 native inhabitants. With astonishing disregard of American constitutional principles ho combines in bis own person executive, legislative, and judicial authority. Exclusion of Half-castes. This form of native government is ono which wo must condemn on principle, but which, perhaps, many English Colonial "officials may envv. Admirable it has certainly been in its results, in spito of a few, a very few, scandals. The legislation has been that, of men of common sense and complete' disinterestedness. The vital .land question was solved at once by a regulation which' prevents any but a Sanioan native, from owning land. Thun even the half-castes arc excluded. Native customs have .been recognised; native institutions- retained in active co-operation with thn naval government. Tho highest chiefs are district governors with important. functions to perform. Native judges sit even in the High Court. They form tho district courts, sitting with an American judge, who is tho only civilian in the administration, and native magistrate;; hold village courts. The disposal of the copra crop, which lias been a subject of controversy in the Western Islands, was settled by tho Government buying the whole of it and v putting it up to public auction. A monthly paper in English and Samoan, containing news, regulations, statistics of health and trade, and a full monthly statement of revenue and expenditure, is distributed free to every household in the islands. An annual fono (meeting) is held of delegates from all parts of tho island, and these have already discussed the agenda with district councils. Solution of Staffing Problem. Thus the despotic naval Governors have chosen to work with and for tho islanders in a most democratic spirit. By so doing tho Government—\yith an exception that must be made later—has been successful and popular and has won the loyalty of tijo charming but capricious islanders. I bad the privilege of being tho guest of one of tho native chiefs, and it is impassible to be among them without realising that they are not only happy but that contact with a white Government iias not despoiled them of their native pride and self-respect. Naval government has another great advantage to recommend it. It is an easy solution of the problem of staffing, which lias been tho great causo of the trouble in Western Samoa. The United States has, like fhe Mandatory Government, no colonial service upon which to draw; tho next best thing was to appoint men from a service where them would be reasonable ability, the maximum amount of honesty and detachment, much common sense and capacity to handle men, and that dignity which the hierachy and discipline of a fighting service can maintain. The Governor, first and last , a naval officer, spending two years on the island, has naturally been disposed to offer the minimum amount of interference. Morepver, the islands, small and poor, had the services of a complete and efficient staff, administrative, medical, and public works, paid on the Navy register. The system is not idealj the lack of special training and tho short terms of service stand in the'way of that; but, in all the circumstances, it has not fallen far short. 11, has two valuable testimonies—that of increasing population and of strong approval from a quarter where standards are, and should be, exacting almost beyond achievement, that of tho anthropologists as represented by Dr. Meade, who has conducted research work in the islands. A Mau Movement. A Mau movement in Tutuila found sympathy and publicity in Honolulu. The Mau of Eastern Samoa is, however, very different from that in Western Samoa. .1 he half-castes are discontented owing to their exclusion from land ownership, and some of the natives, led by them, have become vaguely suspicious that not enough is being done for them by way of education, and that, the despotic naval government is something of an insult and, if it is riot tyrannous, it ought to he. Their I desires fur change crystallise into the form | ot a demand fur civil government. Ij I:ilked In leaders,'of both the American l and New* /.(-aland Mau movements, and the former dislinguished themselves by I ifn as.-ei tions of loyalty toward America! an' heir personal affection and respect i jor fho naval (iovornor. ! Miss [ (mliarri nxpl-aiiis flip, circumstances s , , K 'h led to the Unit..,l States Confess' , vr ' iir :lr 'ceptnig the cession of tho I islands, as proposed l.v the chiefs thirty ! } ais ago ~m as rt result of represent,a- ---!'"' S,il , r ' GoveriHir, w j !o decided Mat lie time load come to doff tho cloak! ot despotism, appointing a committee of, two senators, two congressmen, and two' Nnnoa,, duels who- will conduct their 1 iriquities in the islands this summer, and recommend what chancres, if any, are nr "fssarv m the Constitution. I ii.ise who know'and love these grace'd and happy peoplr- can only hope that the naval Government. di-fined and impio\cd, will !i(. allowed to continue ils unostentatious rule, she adds. One cannot, contemplate with any pleasure the .substitution' of ;i civilian Government, affected as it must be by political changes and inteiests, and letting loose upon those gentle people the full force of American efficiency and idealism. Ihe naval Government, has bad many advantages that the Mandatory has not—continuity; detachment from politics; from some aspects a better service; a much smaller population and islands that stood a little out. of the diplomatic eddies that, washed round Upolu. New Zealand is small; Americans vast, and she was represented to Samoa in tho aspect of naval power. Contrast and comparison should be interesting during tho next few years.