THE SAMOAN TRIP.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12011, 13 March 1920, Page 7

THE SAMOAN TRIP.

VARIOUS MATTERS DISCUSSED Per Press Association. Wellington, March 11 Sir Janies Allrn said the Mandate clearly laid down the natives must he the first interestof the mandatory power, bat the Minister added, also recognising a duty to the world, he did not believe it right to let such fertile land remain uncultivated. He endorsed the action of the ad ■ ministration in insisting on improvement of the labourers’ quarters. In answer to complaints' of forced repatriation he held out no hope of the return of any part of repatriation fees. He considered a scheme of advances to settlers hardly practicable labour question was settled, but h6'promised to bring it up before Cabinet. He said he had not received final instructions in reference io the Mandate but would do his utmost to hasten the gazetting of the Imperial Order m Council to make the Mandate clear. It woe intended Samoa should be administered as an integral portion of New Zealand. Discussing the liquor report. Sir James Allen said he would give a straight uncompromising answer. The National Cabinet had resolved prohibition was necessary, in Samoa and the decision was endorsed by the Reform Cabinet. He quoted the Mandate’s injunction against permitting slavery, firearms, and liquor, and also emphasised the danger in dealing with the proud and dignified Samoan race of any suggestion of discrimination in favour of the whites as against natives. Speaking to a report on the constabulary a member of the committee said noboly knew what members of the force found to do and he also complained they were .not officially informed of the decision to bring police from New Zealand. Sir James Allen said announcing the despatch of the constabulary would have meant disclosure of the intention of the evacuation of the Exeditionary Force, which was not desirable. The Government anticipated the constabulary would be welcome as the first definite act marking a reversion to civil administration. He added : “Though you may not see a good reason for sending constabulary to Samoa, the New Zealand‘Government does see a reason which at the present moment I am not at liberty to disclose.’’ The Minister pointed out the cost of the force would be borne by New Zealand. The editor of a newspaper supplemented at length a report requesting discontinuance of the censorship. Questioned by Messrs Carncroas, Triggs and Geddes, he admitted sending much unedited matter to the censor, thus necessitating editorship by the censor. Faced with the alternatives of continuation of the censorship or publication under the conditions of the New Zealand Press, subject to the provisions of the Grimes Act as regards sedition, the editor considered fcho present censorship preferable. Sir Jas. Allen said he believed in a free press but not an unlicensed press. At the Minister’s suggestion the editor agreed to edit the matter and then send it to the censor. The Eev. Clark, questioned as to his statement in the published report that attempts of Government education were not encouraging, said he referred to the expense compared with the mission schools. He believed a compulsory system desirable. The German administration always threatened efforts in that d rection. Sir Jas. Allen said the members recognised the full and valuable jwork done missionaries in the Pacific Islands. He did not want to interfere but thought it possible there was room for improvements. He instanced the Cook Group, where the State had taken over the schools at the request of the London Mission Society. The Government expected Samoa would bear some of the cost of educating the children. Sir James Allen intimated that he would not agree to an elective Legislative Council, at !1 events, until it was settled who ' ’S entitled to the franchise. Q .astioned on the status of German property ha said according to the Treaty New Zealand would take over such formerly German owned property as the D. H.P. G,, but till the Order-iu-Couucii was gazetted he was unable to say' what action would be taken in regard to individual. German planters. The visit of Sir J. Allen and the party to the London Missionary Society’s Training College at Maula for pastors and teachers for Samoa and other Pacific Islands and Papua, was one of the moat notable events of the tour. Members were impressed with the splendid intelligence and physique of four hundred young men and women students. Sir James Allen said be recognised ibat in their hands lay the future of Samoa. Ha wished them continued success Members regarded them as a hopeful augury of th e future.