SAMOAN AFFAIRS

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9173, 13 October 1915, Page 4

SAMOAN AFFAIRS

GERMAN TRADERS BUSY JfEW;_ZEALAND GOVERNMENT’S •INTENTIONS. ' DISCUSSION IN HOUSE OF , representatives. Several questions dealing with tho administration of affairs in Samoa after tho occupation by New Zealand troops at tho beginning of tho war were asked in the House of Representatives yesterday morning* Mr T. M. Wilford (Hutt) called the attention of the Minister for Finance to a report that several tons of bullion had recently been brought from Samoa to tho Dominion. Ho took it that this was German money. Ho wished to know what had been done in the matter of the currency used in Samoa, and whether this country had suffered any l° ss - .... i r. Sir Joseph Ward said that when Samoa was taken the only legal currency was Gorman, and for tho time being tho Administrator (Colonel Logan) had agreed to the use of German currency going on- This had since been replaced by British currency. The loss was about £14,000, but the Dominion would not have to pay this. , Mr Wilford : ‘Couldn’t it have been saved?” Sir Joseph Ward: “There was no way of taking the necessary steps at the time.” GERMAN TRADE. Mr H. J. H. Okey (Taranaki) asserted that tho hulk of trade af Samoa and other islands was still being carried on by Germans, , and asked whether the Government would do something to deal with the matter. The Prime Minister said that the matter was now being dealt with, and everything possible was being done. He had recently been informed that Tonga —which was not exactly a British State—had decided, that no German should be allowed to land, and thajt Germans should not be permitted bo trade there. (Heai-, hear.) Mr Wilford; “What you need is a Commission to inquire into the administration of Samoa since the war started.” Mr Massey said that the Government had appointed a few days ago a Commissioner ' to, go to Samoa, to inquire into German trade, and, to -report to the Government.: PAPER MONEY, Mr H. G. Ell (Christchurch South) asked whether there was' any truth in the rumour that paper money had been brought into Samoa front -outside sources, and, although it had depre-, dated in value, had to he redeemed hy. the New Zealand • Government/ From what he had heard of the administration of Colonel Logan, he thought it should be the subject of' Government inquiry. If the charges made 'were true there should be a change of Administrator. ; ’ - • Sir Joseph Ward said that this was entirely an Imperial matter. New Zealand troops had taken possession of; Samoa, but practically; all the control was in the hands of the Imperial authorities. Mb Ell: “But wo advise the Imperial Government.”. Mr Wilford: “It is funny that the Government can’t find out what we all know.” Sir Joseph Ward said that many of. the stories they heard were probably exaggerated. The Government had guaranteed notes which, were current. So far as was ,known, ho others were in existence. There was no way of manufacturing them. It -was quite possible that other - ■ notes may have been brought in from other islands. Mr Wilford: “Could hot all this Have been foreseen when the troops' went to Samoa?” Sir Joseph Ward said that it was impossible to foresee everything. , ' THE COMMISSIONER. In reply to Dr A. K. Newman (Wellington East), Mr Massey said that the Commissioner would proceed to Samoa on October 17th.'' He would probably have full control of German trade. He would act under the. direction of- the Administrator. He was a business man, and his appointment had been made under arrangement with tho Imperial Government.