MISTAKES

NZ Truth, Issue 1306, 22 December 1930, Page 1

MISTAKES

coming white men, up to the time of the German Administration by Dr. Solf, and -later, Dr. Schultz, under whose rule, it is stated by the European residents, "they ■ lived like " 'one happy family." And then— ah then! the outbreak of war and .the beginning I of the , N.Z. Administration, from which so much was hoped and which, according io Mr. Rowe, has failed so disastrously and so miserably—and this, New Zealand's first effort at Government, beyond the confines of the Dominion. Devastating mistakes appear to have been made — unforgivable errors J also m judgment and justice — causing incalculable harm, deep bitter-) ness and resentment, not only m the native mind, but m that of the European residents also. The first N.Z. Administrator of Western Samoa was Colonel Logan, who had been m command of the Expeditionary Force to Samoa m 1914. During his term of office, m 1918, Western Samoa was visited by the world • epidemic of influenza, the natives dying like flies. A great deal of criticism is levelled ; at the N.Z. Health authorities on account of the fact that Samoa was not advised of any danger, although 'flu was already -a notifiable disease m ■New Zealand, and because pratique was granted to a plague-stricken ship from New Zealand. • Eastern Samoa, sixty miles away, and under the American' rule, escaped entirely, owing to the maintenance of a strict - quarantine. This seems to have been the cause of the first ripple of dissatisfaction. -Some time after the epidemic, Colonel Logan went on leave, and, during his absence, a native petition was handed to the Acting- Administrator. It was worded as follows: "Our hearts are sore with New Zealand. We have lost brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, husbands, and wives, m fact, many of our brethren are dead. We pray to God that Britain will take over the control of Samoa from. New Zealand. ..." The petition was withdrawn on the promise of a Royal Commission, which was subsequently appointed. -Mr. Rowe cdmments on the results thus: "Logan," who, when he left Samoa, was a sick man, was not permitted to return at the end of his furlough, thereby, it would seem, being made the scapegoat." Colonel Tate then took oyer the Administration, and early m 1919, it was announced, without- preyious consultation with the white" residents, and without any suggestion of a referendum'such as obtains 'in the Dominion, .that total prohibition _ was to-be enforced on the mandated territory. For the Samoans themselves, there had been prohibition ever since the days of the- Berlin Act of 1889. ' . . In . the . words vof the book, "From now, on Samoa was to be the sport of