GOODWILL MISSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22943, 22 January 1938, Page 17

GOODWILL MISSION

SAMOAN MAU PARTY PLEASANT"RELATIONSHIPS PRAISE FOR ' GOVERNMENT "Tho relationship between the Samoans and the New Zealand Government is better now than it has been since 1914," said Mr. 0. F. Nelson, leader of the Sanioan delegation which arrived yesterday by the Monterey on a goodwill mission to the Dominion. Mr. Nelson stated that the delegation had several matters to discuss with the. Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, but he declined to be more specific.

Mr, Nelson is accompanied by his daughter, Miss Olive Nelson, who is legal adviser to the party, the Hon. Tamase.se, AI.L.C.; Faalava'au, secretary to the Man; Alipia, leader of the Fouo of Faipules, or council of district chiefs, and Leia-taua, a member of the Fono. It is expected that the party will return to Samoa by the Monterey from Auckland on February 7.

"The present Government in New Zealand has removed the ban on tho iMa.ii organisation, an organisation which comprises an overwhelming majority of the people," said Mr. Nelson. The principal tiling which satisfied the Samoans was my return from exile. Another source of gratification was the decision to increase the Samoan representation on the Legislative Council from two to four, who aro now the really elected representatives of the Samoans, whereas previously they were nominated. The old Fono of Faipules was dispersed and a new Fono was set up on September 30, 1936, by the absolute election of Samoans by the Samoans themselves."

The purpose of the present visit to New Zealand was the discussion of certain subjects which, they believed, could better be dealt with personally than by correspondence, ho continued. Tho Samoans had been very well treated by the present Government, whereas there had been , nothing but turmoil under the previous Government. The repatriation of Chinese labour had become part of the new policy, and was warmly supported by the Samoans, who did not want Chinese in Samoa.