RIVALRIES IN SAMOA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21912, 22 September 1934, Page 9 (Supplement)

RIVALRIES IN SAMOA

COMPETING NATIONS The impacts of white peoples 011 Samoa have so often been discussed without any real effort to trace their origin that a book purporting to deal with this subject, and covering the years 1845 to 1884, is a welcome addition to Pacific literature. " The Origins of International Rivalry in Samoa " is a good piece of historical research, accomplished by Miss Sylvia Masterman, a New Zealander working under the direction of Professor A. P. Newton, of the University of London. It is undesignedly complementary to Mr. Keesiug's " Modern Samoa," and with these two books the student of Sainoan affairs has a wide and sure basis for judgment on them. He may not be able to agree with all the conclusions of either, but together they provide ample material for further personal inquirv. This book has the clear framework desirable in a thesis. Cross-reference is occasionally necessary, to the reader 110 less than to the writer, but the thread of expository narration is always at hand. Tn reality, it begins in a past less clear than that of 1845, as is essential, for long before the impinging of foreign official interest there was the incursion of European discovery and Christian missions. Their entry prepared the way for British influence particularly. The story of the various missionary enterprises is given compactly, so compactly, indeed, that the sense of perspective is not easily imparted; but the relation of this activity to the governmental sequel is usefully set out.

Then, in order, the various impacts are described: the need for protection of British interests, the arising of a " French menace." and the definite bid of German policy for power. The coming of American influence is traced, and special prominence is given to happenings and ambitions in which New Zealand played long ago no inconsiderable pnrt. Why the exjieriment of native autonomy was a failure has lucid and firm treatment. All this, while brought no nearer than 1884, it is important to understand if the modern period is to be viewed profitably. A feature of the thesis is the geographically strategic position of the group of islands, a factor remaining in the subsequent problem. As notable is the author's insistence on the confusion created by the clash of various ideals. Miss Masterman's conclusions may not always carry conviction, but she shows herself entitled to press the truth as she sees it, and this is much to concede to any writer on so thorny a subject. The bibliography, arranged as becomes good research, indicates a commendable breadth of grasp. Citations from official documents are apt, and the inclusion of maps and diagrams, the latter giyine graphic views of relevant economic facts, helps to make the volume highly informative. It makes 110 claim to utter the last word, for its scope ends half a century ago; but it will assist in shading conclusions for guidance in contemporary problems.

" The Origins of International Rivalry in Samoa. 1845-1884." by Sylvia Masterman. M.A. (Lond.), with a foreword by A. P. Newton, Rhodes Professor of Imperial History in the University of London. (George Allen and Unwin. Limited. London.) _______