Samoa's Future.

Samoanische Zeitung, Volume 19, Issue 35, 30 August 1919, Page 5

Samoa's Future.

MR. MASSEY'S OPTIMISM. MUTUAL ADVANTAGE. i The Prime Minister of New j Zealand and Sir Joseph Ward : arrived at Auckland from England, after their Peace efforts, on Tuesday, the S tn inst., and during the course of an interview given to New Zealand Press representatives, Mr. Massey made several significant utterances. In view of the many adverse criticisms concerning the future working of the Mandate, the observations Mr. Massey has made should help materially to give a quietus to those critics who doubted New Zealand's ability to control Samoa. In the course of his remarks, Mr. Massey said : " We have come back after doing our duty in and are now prepared to share the difficulties that unfortunately exist in New Zealand, and to do the best under the circumstances for our fellow citizens of the Dominion. " One of the first questions put to M*-. Massey was concerning the Samoau mandate and its value to the Dominion. " So far as the financial as pect is concerned, " said the Premier, " the revenue of Samoa for a good number of years past has exceeded the expenditure, and I have no doubt that after things settle down again to normal the benefit of the mandate will be appreciated by both New Zealand and Samoa. There can be no two opinions that the change of control from Germany to Britain will be good-for the group. Unfortunately, the influenza epidemic, coming on top of the certain amount of disorganisation due to the change of control, will affect matters for a little while. Still, there is no question that the islands will flourish under our control, and that the transfer will be mutual advantaged So far as* the general question applies, there could be no middle course. It was our duty to accept this responsibility especially on account of the important strategic position which Samoa occupies as one of our outposts in the Pacific. It is just a simple matter of taking no risks. " The. Prime Minister was reminded that a certain amount of criticism had been levelled at New Zealand's administration of the Cook Islands and in argument against the taking on of an additional island responsibility. " Yes," replied Mrs Massey, " there has been a good - deal of adverse comment, but let us look at the report of the Australian InterState Commission on the subject of New Zealand's administration of the Cook Islands. That report, which can be regarded as an unbiased one, is very favourable indeed in its

comment on what has taken place in the Cook Islands under New Zealaud control. And respecting the hostility in some quarters to the Samoan mandate, 1 can only point to the fact tint iu the past New Zealand statesmen have been very anxious indeed to see Samoa become an integral part of the New Zealand Commonwealth, among nur eminent statesmen who in their time strongly and strenuously advocated the acquisition of Samoa being Sir George Grey, Sir Robert Stout, and the late Right Hon. R. ]. Seddon. All I can add is, that it would have been sheer folly not to take advantage of its opportunity to obtain for New Zealaud the main voice in the control of Samoa."