UNREST IN SAMOA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3828, 26 July 1927, Page 29

UNREST IN SAMOA.

A CONSIDERED STATEMENT. THE PRESENT DIFFICULTIES. AUCKLAND, July 21. A considered statement concerning the present difficulties in Samoa is made by Mr R. C. Clark, principal of the Wesley Training College at Paerata, who has recently returned from the mandated territory. While there, owing to his acquaintance with several traders and planters, Mr Clark says he was able to study the present trouble from many sides. ‘■'lhe situation is hard to understand, because the greater part of the difficulties hedge round trivialities,” he said. “Much of the trouble has undoubtedly arisen from personal hostility between the Administrator—Sir George Richardson—and Mr O. F. Nelson. Mr Nelson, who, by the way, is of Samoan extraction, has undoubtedly very big interests in Samoa, and has also the confidence of a large section of the natives. He is a man of undoubted ability and wide interests, and it seems a great pity the Administration could not have linked him up with the executive in the early stages. Mr Nelson and a body of capable men round him have been largely instrumental in the formation of a party called the Mau, which is really an Opposition to the Government. It is estimated that at present three-quarters of the natives belong to or are in sympathy with this body. Their main grievances are: — (1) A too dictatorial and militaristic form of administration. (2) Too many highly-paid European officials with too few openings for Samoans. (3) Great dissatisfaction with the method of appointing the Faipules who act as a native council of advice to the Administration. It is said' the Administrator has no time for those who will not echo his words. Criticism of the Administration is taken as disaffection and disloyalty. The recent highhanded action in the removal (and to all intents and purposes deportation) of certain high chiefs who had ventured to express in quite mild terms their disapproval of the Administration strengthens this opinion. The dissatisfaction arising from the appointment of lesser chiefs is met by the Administration with a statement that character rather than rank should be the basis of appointment. The Mau counters this by stating that servility counts more than character or rank. (4) Too much efficiency. This may seem a peculiar sort of grievance, and yet for an island people it is a very real one. Nature has been lavish in gifts to the Samoans, and it is possible for them to subsist with very little exertion. The Administrator is continually pointing out to them that their island could be made the richest in the Pacific, but they must work, and so much emphasis has been placed on this word that mention of the Administrator

brings to the Samoan visions of hard work, and mdhtion of work hara thoughts of the Administrator. This may seem beyond criticism. We are so accustomed to the idea of work that we are apt to forget that these people are but children, and must be handled carefully and quietly. It does seem that at Samoan headquarters there is a lack of appreciation of the psychology of the Samoan people, and a cndency to strive with unnecessary vigour for a large export trade even. The gospel of work can be overdone. (5) The question of prohibition in most things. It can be said the greater number of the European settlers is strongly behind the Administrator. Any talk of the Germans stirring up trouble seems absolutely unwarranted. The German settlers are among the strongest supporters of the Administration- There is, however, a good deal of dissatisfaction with the enforcement of prohibition. When all is boiled down there is very little upon which one can place the finger and say-. ‘There is the cause of the trouble.’

A series of petty disputes, strong wills on both sides, and too little of the spirit of conciliation has led to an impasse which is most serious. There is little doubt that a commission should be appointed to investigate and report. Nor should there be any suspicion of political bias. I would suggest among the first questions to be considered should be the following:— (1) Has the Administrator too autocratic power?

■ (2) Tn what wav is it possible to give Samoans a greater share in the government of their country and to what extent can they replace any of the numerous European officials at present in Samoa? (3) Are w e giving the numerous halfcastes in Samoa the opportunities and encouragement that their ability warrants’

MR NOSAVORTHYS REPLY. WELLINGTON, July 22. The views expressed by Mr R. C.‘ Clark principal of the Wesley‘Training College’ at Paerata. are challenged by the Minister of External Affairs (Mr W. Nosworthy) in a letter which he has forwarded to Mr Clark this evening. The letter reads:— “I have not the honour of your personal acquaintance, but I have read with astonishment the ‘considered statement concerning the present difficulties in Samoa’ by the ‘principal of the Wesley Training College.’ I am writing both' as a Minister of the Crown and as a New Zealander, who is proud of his country and jealous of its fair name apd reputation, which, at the moment, are in serious danger of being degraded in the eyes of the world. I write to the ‘principal of a training college,’ whose first duty. I presume, is to train his students who are themselves to be the leaders of their people, to examine, and probe thoroughly into evety public ques-

tion, and to think deeply and weigh every cause before they publish a considered opinion. I do not know when or for how long you were in the mandated territory. I should like to know, as these two factors have a most important bearing on the value of your opinion. Your inquiries lead you to believe that ‘a series of petty disputes, strong wills on both sides, anil too little of the spirit of conciliation, has led to an impasse which is most serious.’ Tou admit that a very serious situation has arisen; yet your study of the underlying; causes has apparently been so superficial that you can find no other seasons than those I have quoted. You have repeated the ‘Citizens’ Committee's’ charges as to

(1) A too dictatorial and militaristic form of administration. (2) Too many highly-paid European officials. (3) The appointment of Faipules. (4) Too much efficiency. r (5) Prohibition. You propound three questions. Did you before publishing this ‘considered statement’ interview and discuss Samoan affairs with the Administrator or the heads of either the London Missionary Society or the Methodist Missionary Society ? Did you consult and discuss native affairs with the Rev. Frank Lewis, secretary of Native Affairs, or any of the credited and constitutional leaders of the Samoan people? Did you discuss and consider the staffing of the Samoan Public Service by European and native-born people with the secretary of the Administration? Did you discuss and consider the policy of the Administration to steadily enlarge its scope of employment for native-born Samoans and half-castes with the superintendant of education, the superintendent of the wireless station, or the director of agriculture? Did you before publishing your considered statement that ‘it seems a great pity the Administration could not have linked Mr O. F. Nelson up with the executive in the early stages,’ inquire of the Administration if any such wish had occurred to the Administration in 1920, when the first Samoan Legislative Council was appointed, and ascertain that Mr Nelson declined appointment ? “I have the honour to forward herewith the parliamentary paper dealing with the whole of the present situation and I would ask you to read it and consider it. —You have published a ‘considered statement’ as to the causes underlying the trouble in Samoa. Permit me to suggest a line of thought if you desire to ascertain the real cause of an agitation which has been pushed to such extremes. Did you while m Samoa trouble to ascertain what occurred only seven years ago in American Samoa? What were the underlying motives and what were the results? If you have not already seen the official report I will have pleasure in sending you a copy in due course. You have rightly said that ‘Mr Nelson has very big interests in Samoa.” I shall amplify that by saying he is the largest buyer and exporter of native copra, and that his great commercial fabric is based'on native copra trading. “I shall now ask you to read and most carefully study that portion of my detailed replv to the ‘Citizen’s Committee, pages 42 and 43 of the attached document, in which I set out the policy of the New Zealand Government in respect to our reparation estates and the marketing of native copra. I ask you to remember this important fact—that this policy came into operation in a small way {i few months before the start of the present agitation. I ask you to remember that the general application of this policy appeals to be inevitable. It is only a question of time. As principal of the Wesley Training College you must be familiar with the history of mankind through all the ages and know what has been done to gain and retain wealth.— X? u ! s faithfully (signed) W. Nosworthy, Munster of External Affairs ”

POWERS OF DEPORTATION.

NUMEROUS PRECEDENTS. WELLINGTON, July 22. The Prime Minister, speaking on the second reading of the Samoa Bill in the House of Representatives to-day, gave precedents for the assumption of deportation powers. ‘This is not a question ot ab stract justice,” said Mr Coates. “There ar,* numerous precedents for deportation. The United States has taken that power.” A Labour Member: And Mussolini. Mr Coates: I have not got that gentleman on my list. Germany, he added, had taken authority to deport, and so had France. Spain, and Great Britain. Certain British countries also had it Australia, South Africa, Egypt, and India. Air AV A. A eitch (Wanganui): There is a l )rece< *cnt to for u crucifixion. ”‘ r Coates: I beg you pardon. Mr Veitch: I say there is a precedent too_ for a crucifixion without trial voices: S-s-h. Coates: Is the hon. gentleman sure ot his history in that case? I’m sorry to have to do so, but T would remind him that there was a trial—of a sort—in that case. BANISHMENTS DENIED. CHIEFS MERELY SENT HOME. , , WELLINGTON, July 22. ~, report that three more Samoan chiefs had been banished from their homes without a trial” was circulated to-dav bv Mr O. I'. Nelson (chairman of the Citizens Committee in Samoa). Alatau the native secretary of the committee, according to Mr Nelson’s wireless advice, had been banished to Sataua, Aimiu had been sent to Malie, and Papalii to Vailele This action, said Mr Nelson, left only one of the six chiefs who had been the foundation members of the committee, who had not been banished or imprisoned.

Inquiry at the External Affairs Department placed a different complexion on the banishments. In each of the three cases mentioned by Mr Nelson in his latest message, the natives have merely been sent away from Apia to their own villages. Vailele is only two miles from Apia. Among interested listeners to the Samoa Bill debate in the House of Representatives to-day were Mr O. F. Nelson and Mr A. G. Smyth, members of the so-called Citizens’ Committee at Apia.

THE CITIZENS’ COMMITTEE. BIOGRAPIIICAL SKETCHES. WELLINGTON, July 22. A brief Who’s Who in ’arnoa, which was read in the House this evening by Mr AV. Nosworthy (Minister of External Affairs) created a sensation. Mr Nosworthy said that, while he was in Samoa, he had been publicly invited by Mr O. F. Nelson (chairman of the Citizens’ Committee) to investigate the status of the chiefs associated with the committee. lie had accepted that invitation, and had informed Mr Nelson that he would make inquiries, not only concerning the chiefs, but-, also of the political pedigree of the other members of the committee. He said he would read the results of his investigations so that the people * NewZealand would know with whom they had to deal. The details as read a:.;— Mr O. F. NELSON.—A half-caste of Swedish-Samoan parentage, with relatives of German blood, one of whom now in Samoa, fought in the ranks of the German army in the Great War; naturalised as a British subject in 1924; principal of one of the largest mercantile firms, with a network of stores throughout the group and agencies throughout the world ; the largest buyer and exporter of native copra; senior elected member of the Legislative Council; president of the Citizens’ Committee.

Mr A WlLLlAMS.—European, British, married to a Samoan wife; plumber, tinsmith, and general sheet metal worker; secoiid elected member of the Legislative Council.

Mr G. E. L. WESTBOOK. European, British, married to native wife; trader; third elected .member of the Legislative Council; constant contributor to the newspapers of the world, who had consistently criticised New Zealand's administration since the enforcement of prohibition—in September, 1920. He addressed such a criticism to the secretary of the Overseas Club, London, which- was referred to the Administrator for report. The then chief judge, the late J. E. Wilson (Stipendiary Magistrate of New Zealand) submitted the following:—“I yesterday discussed with Mr G. E. L. Westbrook his letter to Mr J. E. Wrench, of the Overseas Club and Patriotic League. Mr Westbrook disclaimed any desire to misrepresent the position, and claimed that his letter was a fair criticism of the New Zealand administration. When I took his statements categorically he had, of course, to admit that a lumber of them were quite untrue. He had written as fact what was, in reality, rumour and surmise. Where it was not within his own knowledge it was untrue. . . . He says that he must criticise. Our discussion made it quite plain to me that when he writes he loses his sense of discrimination between facts and falsehood, and that he is more or less irresponsible.” Mr A. G. SMYTH—European, British. No Samoan family ties; partner in the firm of Smyth and Carruthers (the latter a half-caste, which has just been purchased by Morris, Hedstrom 'Ltd.), of Fiji. Mr E. AV. GURR.—Europeon, British, legal agent, journalist, Samoan interpreter; married to Samoan wife; known to natives as the man who caused the tan o le aso tasi, “the one day war” (the last Samoan war); left the territory during the German regime for American Samoa ; was employed by the American naval administration on August 4, 1900, as secretary to the commandment and also to act as judge and legal adviser; was dismissed in 1908 “for malfeasance in office”; is now a prohibited immigrant to American Samoa. An Auckland paper 'ecently published a statement- from Mr Gurr in defence of himself. Mr Gurr said he had not been deported from American Samoa, ‘‘l did not say he was deported,” said Mr Nosworthy,” but he is a prohibited immigrant there. Mr Gurr also says that ‘he was dismissed for political reasons, his nationality (British) being the chief cause,’ but we are officially advised by the American Government that he was ‘dismissed for malfeasance n office.’ He further says : ‘lt is difficult to understand how unfounded charges against his past can affect his editorship of the Samoa Guardian, a paper which nas been favourably commented on by one and all for its independence and dignity. “_ATy comment on this,” said Mr Nosworthy, “is that a tree is known by its fruits.”

The Minister then continued his Who’s Who as follows : —

> Mr S. H. MEREDITH.—HaIf-caste of BritishJSamoan parentage; land and commission agent; brother-in-law of Lago Lago, who is the leader of the native section of the committee.

LAGO LAGO.—Formerly known ns Afamasaga.: Samoan of chiefly rank; lived mostly in the vicinity of Apia; is a “Europeanised” native with a good knowledge of English and civilised ways ; was convicted and fined for manufacturing alcoholic liquor and selling it to his own people; was imprisoned for embezzling about £7OO of his own district church moneys; is now being asked to account for several thousands of pounds belonging to a native trading concern which he promoted. and which failed; ex-Faipule, who was dismissed from office and deprived of his . title at the request of his family for degrading the same and

ordered from Asia back to his disci let village; agir'n ordered from Apia to Apolima villa're; brotJiei-in-Jaw of S. 11. Meredith (t the European Committee; leader of the Samoan members of the committee; a prohibited immigrant to American Samoa. I’AUMUINA.—Ziamoan of high chiefly tank and good ueputc; has resided fulsome years past at Lepea, on the outskirts of Apia; lias a knowledge of En-’-lish, and has until recently been conspicuous for leading the Lepea people tn village reforms advocated by the Administration. His village lias electric light and good sanitation, and has been completely remodelled, whilst Faumuina was himself the leader of the Fetu-o-Samoa, an adaptation of the Boy Scout movement initiated by the present Administrator; has not yet achieved an appointment as a I’aipule or other native authority. He stated in March last that his district had no complaints. AINU U.—A minor chief of Apia, "here,. until lately, he held an appointment in the native department as court intei ureter: was dismissed through inability to observe ordinary discipline- was one of the interpreters with Faipule delegation to New Zealand in 1924-25, and his work was very unsatisfactory.; of "ood repute. " °

IOI'ALONG.— Samoan official of the Agricultural Department, holding a respected title in Yalaha, a village on the oiitskiits of Apia: has little knowledge o. the real aims of the committee, as will lie seen from the notes on my interview with the committee at Apia on June 11; or good repute. TUISlLA.—Samoan chief of Aleipata. cino has preserved an attitude ot antagonism to the Administration for a considerable number of rears; penalised some time ago for wrongfully removing open station equipment waiting to be burnt to avoid spread of infection.