THE TRIPPERS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIV, Issue 14008, 12 March 1920, Page 1

THE TRIPPERS.

[Br Electbic Telegraph—Copyhioht. 1 (Per Press Association.) (Aus. and -N.Z. Cable Afisn.) Received March 17 at 5.5 p.m. APIA, March 11. „ Sir James Allen said the mandate ■clearly laid down that the natives must be the first interest ot the mandatory Power, "hut the Minister added that they must also recognise their duty to the world: He did not believe it right to let such fertile land remain uncultivated. . He endorsed the action of the Administration- in insisting dn the improvement of the lal>orers' quarters. In answer to the complaints that forced repatriation m held out no hope of the return of any part of repatriation fees, Sir James Allen considered that a scheme Of advances to settlers was hardly practicable until the labor question was settled, but he promised to bring the matter before Cabinet. He said he had not received final, instructions in reference to the mandate, but he would do his utmfcst to hasten the gazetting of the ' Imperial Order-in-Council, .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 James 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 promoting slavery, or encouraging firearms and liquor. He also emphasised the danger—in dealing with the proud and dignified Samoan race—of any suggestion of discrimination in favor of the whites as against the natives. Speaking to the report on the constabulary, a member of the Committee said that noliody knew what members of the force found to do. It was also complained that they were not officially informed -of the 'decision to bring from New Zealand. Sir James Allen

said that the announcing of the despatch of constabulary would have meant a disclosure of the intention of *he evacuation of the Expeditionary which was not desirable. The Government, anticipated the constabulaiy would be welcome, as the first definite act marking the reversion to civil administration. He added: "Though you may not see any good reason for sending constabulary to Samoa, the New Zealand Government does see a 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 InNew Zealand? The editor of the newspaper supplemented at length the report requesting a discontinuance ot the censorship. Questioned by the Hon. W. F. C. Carncross, Hon. W. H. Triggs, and Hon. W. Geddes, he admitted sending much unedited matter to the censor, thus necessitating the editorship by the censor.- with the alternatives of the continuation of the censorship, or publication under the conditions the New Zealand Press was subject to v under the provisions of the Crimes Act. as regards sedition, the editor considered the present censorship was preferable. Sir James Allen said he believed in a free press, but not an unlicensed press. At the Ministers suggestion, the editor agreed to edit the matter and then send it- to the censor. The clerk, questioned as to his statement in a published report, that the attempts of the Government at education were not encouraging, said, he referred to the expenses, compared with the mission schools. He believed the compulsory system was desirable. The German Administration had always threatened efforts in that direction. Sir Jas. Allen said the members rccignised to the full the valuable wor:: done bv th? missionaries in the PaciniIslands'. He did not want to interfere, but he thought it possible that there was room for some improvements. H>' instanced the Cook Group; where the , State had taken over the schools at i the request- of the London-Mission So- ! eiety. The Government expected Samoa to bear some of the cost of edu- j eating her children. Sir James Allen j intimated that he had not agreed to the Elective Legislative Council; at all events, until it was settled who was ] entitled to the franchise. Questioned on the status, of the German pro- | perty, he said, according to the Treaty | New Zealand would take over such formerlv properties as the D.H.P.F., but till an Order-in-Counc-il was gazetted," he was unable to say what action would be taken in regari to individual German , planters. The visit of Sir James Allen and the party to the London Missionary society's Training Colege at Malua, for pastors and teachers for Samoa and the other Pacific Island and Papua, was one of the most notable events of the tour. The members were impressed with the. splendid intelligence and physiqueof *4OO young men and women students. . " . Sir James Allen suijl he recognised that in their hands lav the future of Samoa. He wished them continued success," and the , members regarded them as a hopeful augury of the future. . ' '