THE SAMOAN TRIP.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12017, 20 March 1920, Page 2

THE SAMOAN TRIP.

Per Press: Association. Wellington, March 19. A wireless from the Mokoia says the Parliamentary party have now completed their'tdnr of the territories under New Zealand control. Interviewed by a United Press As- i sociatibn representative, Mr Sidey, senior member of the Liberal Party aboard, giving a personal, not a party view, said there was ample justification for the trip. It was an earnest appeal to the League of Nations of our desire to understand Samoan conditions and faithfully discharge our obligations under bn r mandate. He thought it a question whether we acted wisely in taking over the administration when we are dependent on borrowed money to develop our own New Zetland resources. It is clear from Ministerial utterances that the Islands to some extent will be a burden on the New Zealand taxpayer. Referring to indentured labour, he said no doubt the ultimate provision of the 5000 labourers asked for would enormously increase trade and ensure the Islands being self-supporting. There are not more than sufficient Samoans to day to work their own lands. The consensus of opinion is that Europeans are capable only of light manual labour, but despite this, he was unable to give unqualified support to indentured labour. Liberalism as one of its cardinal factors, took into consideration not only the material aspect, but the human factor. The influx of male Chinese and the inevitable cohabitation with Samoan women meant fostering a halfbred race whose sympathies would be less with us than were those of the purebred Polynesians. Ho expressed the opinion that every effort should be made to obtain tl; e services of married men, for light employment, the term of indenture to be five years instead of 1 three to compensate for the additional expense of transport. The indenture scheme should be regarded as temporary in character. He continued that the problems of the Islands are doubtless bound up with the land question and he was inclined to think that we might learn something from Tonga, where titles j are practically' individualised. , The Tongan constitution prohibits the employment of Chinese at manual labour. He thought the Otago Medical School might give special attention to tropical diseases. Government assisting in research. He favoured the’repatriation of Gormans now in Samoa, and added that investigations should be made with . a view to the adoption of more scientific methods of destroying the rhinoceros beetle. , Mr Carnoross said, speaking broadly, he regretted that it had fallen to Now Zealand to govern Samoa, however the die had been cast, and it is now every politician’s duty to put party aside and loyally aid Government in the difficult task of administering the Islands. There were many problems which would test the statesmanship of our New Zealand administration. He was firmly of opinion that there must be indentured labour, plenty of it, and as quickly as possible, otherwise Samoa wonld quickly go back to a state of jungle and years of labour and thousands of pounds of capital would have been expended in vain. The education problem presented difficulties. In ail the native schools education for many years had been semi-religious. If religions education was abandoned and New Zealand’s purely secular system substituted, it would shock the feelings of the natives, yet to give religious teaching in Samoa and purely secular teaching in New Zealand wonld be anomalous, and probably create future difficulties in New -Zealand. This question called for serious consideration. In appointing administrators the greatest tact and judgment were called for, and it was absolutely necessary that they must be men of the highest moral character, if we were to maintain the respect of the natives and uphold the white man’s prestige. Referring to Samoa he believed that Governor Tate had high ideals and was doing well, endeavouring to administer justice to j the white man and the brown people. The people were easily led in right paths when once assured of absolute justice, but were a bit suspicious and easily led in wrong paths by designing men. I Mr Veitch, pn behalf of Independent Labour, said “I am satisfied that in administration by New Zealand of the Island territories wherein almost the entire population are simple untutored natives our chief concern should be to take a long distance human view of the situation, determining our policy in onr mandate over Samoa. The danger is that we will magnify the problem of today and thus obscure issues, the determination of which may vitally affect the native life and liberties for generations. Wholesale importation of Chinese indentured labour is advocated as the only means of salvation for the big plantations. Whilst recognising from purely commercial standpoint the desirability of this he was convinced that under the mandate there devolves on us the fundamental graver responsibility of safeguarding the Samoan race. Moreover the propagation of a halfbred Chinese people within Samoa might ultimately add menace to us in the Pacific. Our duty in Samoa is to systematically educate the Samoan people, to provide medical and hospital facilities, to assist the sanitation of villages, to encourage Samoans in the fullest cultivation of their own lands by Government taking over the entire output produce and selling it In the bejt available markets. Already the natives produce 75 per cent of the copra exported. Regarding finance it was

primarily important that we teach the natives to become self-reliant, and to develop their own- resources. Sufficient taxation would be needed to prevent the Islands becoming a burden on the New Zealand taxpayer. I hope Parliament will not approve a proposal to lend money to Samoa free of interest. Samoa is a fertile country and if properly administered with sufficient shipping, will be able to bear the cost of its own Government and development, Mf Holland declined to give an interview, and said that Official Labour would not make a statement until he reported to the National Council in New Zealand. Sir James Allen said the reports by Mr Bird on the education systems, Mr Vickeran on Public Works, Mr Gibbs on wireless, Mr McOristell on departmental organisation in Samoa, and Mr Black on tropical horticulture, would be of the greatest ,im-' portance in deciding the policy of external affairs, also Mr Marden’s report on the observatory at Samoa whero most valuable observations and data are in course of completion which in the . immediate future are likely to add to jfche “world’s knowledge in weather forecasts, navigation, wireless transmission, ;and prediction of earthquakes. The question of allocation of cost and upkeep must be settled. Undoubtedly upon the labour supply depended the solution of difficulties in Samoa. Without labour there would be no plantations, no white population, and no revenue, and without rsvenu* it would be impossible to embark on a programme of education or other undertakings for the benefit of the Samoan people. Examination of the sources of supply showed that Chinese is the only labour available for indenture. Three attempts had been made to secure Japanese, hut were unsuccessful. If “free” Asiatic labour was introduced it would soon result in wiping out the Samoan race. As far as is known the Chinese Government declined to allow wives to accompany indentured men. He thought that limiting the indenture to Three years would largely reduce the trouble and prove most satisfactory. Questioned as to the duration of the semi-military administration, he said that until the Imperial Order-in- Council reference and mandate were received Government had good reasons which it will be unwise to announce, for retaining civil constabulary in Samoa at pre sent. Wireless Correction—Sir James Allen, speaking at Mangaia, said he hoped it would, be possible to exchange teachers of”the |||oook Group State Schools with teachers of New Zealadn native;.schools and to some extent co-ordinate the two systems.