CONDITIONS IN SAMOA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19122, 17 September 1936, Page 15

CONDITIONS IN SAMOA

REPLY TO CRITICISM OPINION OF MR, NELSON GOVERNMENT EULOGISED (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. A brief reference to the political position in Samoa was made by the Prime Minister, the Rt. lion. M. J. Savage, to-day when his attention was called to the cablegram from Sydney reporting the remarks of Mr. it. W. Robson, editor of the Pacific Islands Monthly, regarding the administration of Western Samoa.

Mr. Savage remarked that the lion. O. F. Nelson, who recently returned to Samoa, was in a better position to sum up the political .situation in Samoa than Mr. Robson. The Prime Minister stated that lie had received from Mr. Nelson a memorandum outlining the position in Samoa and in a covering letter said: “I am only sorry that time did not permit of doing more towards the end of bringing into fruition the generous policy of the New Zealand Government while the Ministerial delegation was here, but the foundation lias been laid for mutual goodwill and confidence, which is the basis of good relations between governors and governed, and the cooperation between the Mau and the Administration, which I shall do my utmost to foster, augurs well for the future.

“The responsiblily placed upon the Samoans to rosuipe the conduct oi their own local affairs lias already borne good results in that many minor differences in villages and districts winch might have led to major issues have been settled by the good offices of the Samoan chiefs and kept out of court. The term ‘Malo, ’ which applied only to such Samoans who licit office in the Administration, will soon apply to the whole of the Samoans, especially after the Mau has taken part in the election or selection of their own representatives to the Fai’pule Fono, the Legislative Council, and other public offices.” Mr. ‘Nelson thanks the Government for his return to his homeland and for the opportunity thus given him to serve his people and the mandatory Government. lie expresses h.is best wishes for a long continuance in office of the present Government.