CONTROL IN SAMOA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23227, 22 December 1938, Page 13

CONTROL IN SAMOA

INTERESTS OF NATIVES NEED FOR EDUCATION LAND OFFICER'S VIEWS Formerly chief surveyor and commissioner of • lands in Samoa, and a member of the Native Lands and Titles Court, Mr. G. F. K. HufnagelBetham has arrived in Auckland on holiday, and will later join the Lands and Survey Department Dn transfer. Mr. Hufnagel-Bethain has been on the tropical staff of the Administration at Samoa since 1921.

"The natives are most eager more to say in native affairs and other matters in the islands,- but seem to overlook at times the point of necessary learning and preparation, which is just as essential in Samoa, or ought to be. in these modern times, as in ether countries," Mr. Hufnagel-Betham said. "Perhaps as time goes on Samoans ill realise that the possession of a hammer does not necessarily establish its owner as a first-class carpenter. If, however, the younger generation in Samoa could only be impressed with the essential need for study and foundation work, some hope of real progress would not be out of place. "Nowadays, almost every phase of official business is directed or guided from Wellington," he continued, "and New Zealanders should have no fear therefore of any departure from peace or harmony arising in Samoa as a result of local inexperience. The actingAdministrator, Mr. C. A. Turnbull, is most careful to refer all Samoan problems to New Zealand for a decision before action is taken."