INTERVIEW WITH MR W. J. NAPIER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2097, 3 May 1894, Page 20

INTERVIEW WITH MR W. J. NAPIER.

(Fbom Our Own Correspondent.) Auckland, April 26. In view of the proposal of the New Zealand Government to annex Samoa, and its possible effect upon the colony, a representative of the Herald waited upon Mr W. J. Napier, who has frequently visited the place professionally, and who knows the circumstances of the islands well, and also a good deal of them politically. On one occasion he was consulted professionally by Mataafa, who has been lately deported, and he also knew Malietoa. This was in 1886, since which he has been frequently to Samoa.

" Until the Treaty of Berlin," said Mr Napier in response to a request for a little information, "there was practically no Government in Samoa. There was a native king, of course, bub he was actively opposed by a large section of the people, and had no real power. The system created by the Treaty of Berlin has utterly broken down. There can be no peace until the native kingship is abolished. To me that seems to be a preliminary step to secure order."

" Would the natives object, do you think ?" " Not in my opinion. They would rejoice if the government of the islands was taken over by Great Britain or New Zealand. Many of the chiefs have told me so. But there is so much mutual jealousy among the chiefs, and such a strong partisan spirit, that so long as the kingship exists there will be a sort of miniature war of roses between the rival factions. The place is essentially one for one-man-rule. Subject to the supervision of theujolonial authorities, one man, I believe, could perform the offices of ad-

ministrator or governor, and chief justice, and all the other duties pertaining to it " "Tnen you approve of the action of tho Government in trying to secute the islands ? " "I certainly do," was the reply. "They are and will be in future of enormou3 strategic importance. They are right in the track of the mail route via America, and are almost in the centre of the Western Pacific, and if they were firmly governed they might become the West Indies of Australasia. The land is very fertile and immense tracts are still in a state of nature. Samoa alone could be made capable of supplying Australasia with all the coffee, spices, and fruits these growing populations require."

" What would be required there ? " "The first necessity," was the reply, •• after order is secured is to make roads. A main road is required from end to end of Upolu. If that were constructed— and it could bo at a nominal coat by native labour and an abundance of shingle — the country would be completely opened up for settlement. The natives like and would welcome a firm, and at the same time sympathetic, Government. Austerity and harshness would only provoke sullenness and disorder. But little, if any, foroa would be required in the form of police once the natives knew the supreme authority was vested in New Zealand. The moral force of a man-of-war would be sufficient; to ensure peace. As to Tutuila, which is 65 miles from Apia and is practically untouched by civilisation, I traversed on foot a considerable portion of the Island, and never saw any soil except a deep black loam on a rock substratum. It would be capable, if developed, of supplying fruit to millions. Savaii is also very fertile. Nearly all the land claims have been adjusted by the Land Commission set up by the Treaty of Berlin, and which was the only redeeming feature of that treaty. That Land Commission set an example to our New Zealand Land Courts for celerity and despatch in investigating titles. If the country were well governed, I think it would be frequented by men of wealth from the colonies who desire a period of repose from the exertions of business or of political life. Mr R. L. Stevenson, the novelist, seems to be enjoying a very happy life, and has made for himself a beautiful home on the hills. He has done a great deal for the social and political regeneration of Samoa, and he would always be a vigilant and fair critic of any Englishman who might be sent to administer the affairs of the islands. As far as the Europeans living there are concerned, they are a highly intelligent and superior people, so that no difficulty whatever need be apprehended from the whites."