GRATEFUL SAMOANS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3743, 8 December 1925, Page 86

GRATEFUL SAMOANS.

LETTER TO GOVERNMENT. (Fbom Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, December 1. The very cordial feelings towards the Administrator of Samoa, the New Zealand Government, and the people entertained by the natives of Samoa is reflected in a letter which a meeting of Faipules requested Major-general Richardson to deliver to the Government on reaching Wellington. The Apia correspondent of the New Zealand Herald states that the letter conveys an expression of loyalty to, and esteem and appreciation of the GovernorGeneral and the New Zealand Government, and also an expression of gratitude for giving some of tne Samoans an opportunity of visiting the Dominion a year ago: “That visit was an education to us,” the letter stated. “We have seen with our eyes the progress of New Zealand. We learnt something of the principles underlying that progress. Since our return to Samoa we have undertaken some things learned in New Zealand for the guidance of our people. We remember with pleasure our meeting with our Maori brethren.” The high esteem in which the Administrator is held by the Samoans i 9 expressed in the letter, and an acknowledgment is made of General Richardson’s great work in furthering the interests of the Samoans and of their country by setting before them ideals in regard to land settlement, village improvement, and education. “He has strengthened our patriotism and love of country,” it is added, “and while helping us to get rid of many Faasamoa customs, which retarded our progress, he has respected those Faasamoa customs which are good. He has by the establishment of ‘Fetu o Samoa’ shown his wise insight into the method bv which our welfare may be attained. He has by his leadership kept up steadily on the road to progress. We still need his guidance, and we gratefully appreciate the GovernorOeneral’9 gracious act in granting us our desire by permitting our beloved Administrator to stay with us for another term. Our great hope and desire is that he may continue to stay, with us, because it not a matter of conjecture that if he does the status of Samoa will be raised to our lasting good, for as Paul said: ‘The Saviour of life unto life.’” The letter concluded with respectful greetings to the Governor-General and the Government of New Zealand.