SAMOA’S NEEDS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10536, 12 March 1920, Page 5

SAMOA’S NEEDS

REPLY TO COMPLAINTS SIR JAMES ALLEN ON MANY PROBLEMS. POSITION UNDER MANDATE. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright Australian ami JN.Z. .Cable Association(Received Murcb 11, 5.5 p.mj APIA, Alai'ch 10. In the course of a speech, Sir James Allen said the mandate clearly laid down that'the natives must bo the first interest of the mandatory Power, but the Minister added that, also recognising the duty to the world,, ho did not believe it right to Jet such fertile land remain uncultivated. Ho endorsed tho action of the Administration iu insisting on improvement in the labourers’ quarters. He considered the scheme of advances to settlers was hardly practicable until tho hiboui question was settled, but he promised to bring it up before Cabinet. He said ho had not received final instructions in reference to the mandate, but he would do his utmost to hasten the gaBCttuig of the Imperial (Jrdcr-in-L’onn-cil to make the mandate clear. It was intended that Samoa should be administered as an integral portion of New Zealand.

Discussing the liquor report, Sir Janies Allen said he would give a straight and uncompromising answer. The National Cabinet had resolved that prohibition was necessary in Samoa, and the decision was endorsed by the Reform Cabinet, and he quoted the mandate’s injunction against permitting slavery, firearms, and liquor. He also emphasised the danger in dealing with the proud and dignified Samoan race of any suggestion of discrimination in favour ot the whites as against tho natives. NEED FOR CONSTABULARY.

Speaking to tile report on the Constabulary, a member of the committee eaid nobody knew what the members of the force found to do. He also complained that ' they were not officially informed of the decision to bring police from New Zealand. Sir James Aillen said that announcing the dispatch of the Constabularly would have meant the disclosure of the intention of the evacuation of the Expeditionary Force, which was not desirable. The Government anticipated that the Constabulary would bo welcome, as the first definite act marking the reversion to civil administration. He added : “Though you may not see good reason for sending the Constabulary to Samoa, the - New Zealand Government does see the reason, which at the present moment I am not at liberty to disclose.” The Minister pointed out that the cost of the force would be borne by New Zealand. THE CENSORSHIP. The editor* of the newspaper supplemented at length the report requesting the discontinuance of the censorship. Questioned by the Hons W. C. F. Camcross, H. Triggs, and W. J. Geddis he’ admitted" sending much unedited matter to the censor, thus necessitating editorship by the censor. Faced with alternatives of the continuation of the censorship or publication under the conditions of the New Zealand Press, subject to and under the provisions of the Crimes Act as regards sedition; the editor considered the present censorship preferable. Sir James Allen said ho behoved in a free Press, but not an unlicensed Press. At the Minister’s suggestion the editor agreed to edit the matter and then send it to the censor. ■EDUCATION*. Tho Rev. Clark, questioned as to his statement in the published report that attempts at Government education were not encouraging, said he referred to tho expense compared with the mission schools. He believed the compulsory system was desirable. The German Administration always threatened effort* in that direction. Sir James Allen said members recognised fully the valuable work done by tho missionaries in the Pacific Islands. He djfl not want to interfere, but thought it possible that there was room for some improvements. He instanced, the Cook group, where the State had taken over the schools at the request of the London Missionary Society. The Government expected ica to bear some cost of educating the children.

Sir James Allen intimated that ho had not agreed to an elective Logislativo Council, at all events until it was settled who was entitled to the franchise. Ouestionod on the status of German property, ho said that according to the Treaty New Zealand would take over such formerly German-owned properties as D.H.P.G., but till the Order-m-Oouncil was gazetted ho was unable to say what action -would be taken in regard to individual German planters. The visit of Sir James Allen and party to the Condon Aiissionary Society’s training college at Mam for pastors and teachers for Samoa and other Pacific Islands' and Papua was one of the most notable events of the tour. Members were impressed with the splendid intelligence and physique of tour hundred • young men and women students. Sir James Allen said ho recognised that in their hands lay the future of Samoa. He wished .them continued success. Members regarded them as a hopeful augury of the future.