WESTERN SAMOA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3875, 19 June 1928, Page 26

WESTERN SAMOA.

THE NEW ADMINISTRATOR. A MAN OF SILENT ACTION. AUCKLAND, June 11. Tlie incident of May 26 in Samoa, when a detachment of military police went out to arrest Chief Leota, was spoken of by some of the passengers who arrived in Auckland by the Tofua to-day. They said that as far as they could gather the action of the police was not extreme, and that it was intended mainly to have a salutary effect. It was true, they said, that, rifles had been carried and bayonets used, but not to any great extent. Since the affair the excitement had subsided, and it was now regarded more or less as a “ nine days’ wonder.” According to those who have been in Samoa the new Administrator, Mr S. S. Allen, has made a good impression among the natives, as well as with the white residents. He is a man of silent action and .few words, but it is felt that he has already gained a grasp of the affairs in the mandated territory. The Mau (native) police are still very much in evidence with their picturesque uniforms, and they seem to be concerning themselves as much as ever with the life of the settlement, while it is understood that the natives are still refusing to comply with the orders to pay taxes. It is said that the campaign of boycotting stores dealing in New Zealand goods has entirely disappeared. In general, a more settled future is predicted for Samoa.

AN UNBIASED OBSERVER. ' MTP - — * NEW ZEALANn o OBLIGATIONS. AUCKLAND, June 12. An able European journalist. Mr Jacques E. Chable, formerly editor of tne Suisee Liberal, the daily newspaper of Neuchatel, Switzerland, arrived in Auckland in the course of a tour of many countries for the purpose of studying conditions on behalf of various European journals. Of special interest to New Zealand are the opinions he has formed after a sojourn of seven weeks in British Samoa. By reason of his standing as a journalist Mr Chable was given every facility for studying the situation from every angle, and he is able to speak not only as one having a special fund of information, but also as a trained observer with a broad outlook on international problems. His visit to Samoa concluded on the day that Sir George Richardson left for New Zealand. “ The Samoans,” he said, “ are certainly the gentlemen of the South Seas in manners. The are proud and very iike the French. They are so polite that they will never let you know if they do not agree with you. To get the best out of them you must respect their customs, for these are the very soul off the people.” Mr Chable expressed the opinion that in administering Samoa the Government of New Zealand had a very difficult task because small things that were important to the native mind were not regarded as important by Europeans. “At the same time,” he said, *' I believe that New Zealand has done everything possible for the Samoans. An amount of money has been spent which to me is marvellous—over £40,000 —and I believe that this country has done all that was expected by the League of Nations. In my opinion, the Mandates Commission of the League, when it meets on Tuesday next, will not blame New Zealand for the trouble that has occurred during the last few months.”

Tlie visitor gave it as his opinion that the Mandates Commission would have no opportunity of hearing Mr Nelson, as it had laid down the principle that no people from anv country could be heard unless they had official standing. It was therefore probable that the only report that could be accepted would be that of Sir George Richardson. “ From my point of view,” Mr Chable added, “ General Richardson has done a lot for Samoa, and my observations show me that he is by no means a despot. He gave the whole of his time to his work, and his only concern was the welfare of Samoa. During the first year of his administration everybody was happy and recognised him as a very able administrator.” Mr Chable stated that without doubt the trouble that arose 18 months ago was provoked by half-caste and European residents in Apia. They might have had a few reasons for complaint. but then no country in the world could satisfy everyone. Those who were dissatisfied sought to express themselves through Mr Nelson, who was well li’-ed and had a big influence in Samoa. While the original cause of the trouble, Mr Chable said, was the so-called interference by the Government in the copra trade, prohibition, and interference with native customs, there had arisen out of that trouble the more serious of “ Samoa for the Samoans.” While believing that the administration rf General Richardson was good, Mr Chable also believes that he missed opportunities for exercising tact and diplomacy in the early stages of the trouble. “As I see the situation,” the visitor added. " the Administrator might have solved the problem about four months ago by giving away a few unimportant points to the natives.’’

As to the future Mr Chable expressed the hope that the Samoans would be able to continue living as they were living tp-day. Thev did not want too much civilisation, neither did thev need it. Among the Polynesian races th e Samoans were very important, but they were not greatly concerned with the outside world. Neither was Samoa in need of great commercial development. That would mean the coming in of more white people, and probably more Chinese and Japanese, because the Samoans could not be looked to for regular work. “I have sent back +o the newspapers which I represent,” said

Mr Chable, “ my opinion that New Zealand has fulfilled entirely her obligations to the League of Nations in her administration of Samoa. At the same time I have stated that the League must attend to the claims of the Samoans and see that they are not forgotten because they are one of the small nations of the world. In other words, the influence of the League must be used through the Government of New Zealand in ensuring peace and good order for British Samoa.’