SAMOA TO-DAY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2047, 6 September 1920, Page 6

SAMOA TO-DAY.

FIVE YEARS OF MILITARY RULE. COMMERCIAL MISSION TO NEW ZEALAND. lERNEST A. DOHBIE, tale Editor "Samoa Times." J What of Samoa, that beautiful gem of the Western Pacific, on which the eves of all New Zealand should be centred, particularly at the present time? The delegation at present in Christclmrcb, of which I am a member, has come to New Zealand, on behalf of the business interests' of Samoa, to apprise the Dominion and its Government, principally through the chambers of commerce, of the unhappy conditions existing in Samoa, trusting that, as a. result of our visit, something will he done to alleviate the woeful discontent. It must be borne in mind that for many years past Samoa has been an international hotbed, at one time being jointly controlled by the tripartite Powers, Great Britain, America, and Germany, which arrangement went on for a period of 10 years, up to 1900, when Samoa was ceded to Germany. It is common history, how in 1914, when the Great War broke out. New Zealand's forces occupied the country and thus was the first German possession to fall into British hands. Military Occupation.

For five long, weary years, Samoa became hardened to the sight of seeing the soldiers of the garrison kicking their heels about the streets of Apia, but during that period, in 1018, towards the latter end, the ever-to-be-remembered influenza scourge broke out, eventually carrying in its wake close on 8000 lives—nearly a quarter of the total native population. It will be manv. many years before the Samoans will forgive New Zealand for the part its Administration look during that scourge. Proffered assistance from American Samoa—oo miles away—was turned down. Hundreds of lives could have been saved. A commission was deputed to investigate the causes connected with the cnidemie. Their report was eventually published and it was expected that the New Zealand Government would punish those who were guilty for the ramifications of the scourge—but no notice apparently was taken of the report and the guilty ones escaped. As a result the Samoans believe that 8000 of their people were sacrificed and no atonement made. However much the Samoans may have desired New Zealand control previous to the epidemic that desire has since been shattered.

During the five years period of military occupation and even up to the present time thousands of pounds have been ruthlessly squandered and wasted on projects which never should have been undertaken. The list is quite a formidable one. An Expensive Farce.

j At the end of last year the garrison was ordered home to New Zealand, its place being taken by the much-heralded Samoan Constabulary of between 40 and . r >o picked men, who had seen service at the Front. It would be interesting to know the cost to New Zealand of this constabulary, each member of which was fengaged for three years. Why it was ever sent to Samoa will ever remain a mystery. Suffice to say that its drafting to Samoa was one of the biggest farces imaginable. There was never any occasion for it. We in Samoa assumed that it was sent to protect the natives and residents from any aggression on the part of the 200 Germans in and around Apia. For -what other purpose was it sent? The citizens of Apia protested at (he introduction of this force, since in pre-War days Samoa was controlled by three white poli.pe. On the occasion of the recent Parliamentary visit to Samoa. Sir James Allen told the citizens' committee, of which. I was a member, deputed to lay our troubles before the M.P.'s, that the constabulary had been sent to Samoa on a special which it would not be politic for him to tell. What was that mission? Time records that their mission was an absolute failure. The constabulary's presence in Samoa was wholly unjustified. The Germans at that time, in the early part of this year, had no idea of their eventual fate—whether they were to be allowed to stay or were to he sent away. It was generally thought they woidd he allowed to remain in the country. Many of them were expert tropical agriculturists of many years' experience. They were, despite their nationality, a decided asset to the country.

Repatriating the Germans.

However, in May last the official decree came forward that they were to be repatriated to Germany. 1 was the printer of the order, and I will never forget the consternation which was aroused by generally the whole Samoan and British population on its publication. Many of these Germans, excepting a very small number of the Hun type, were of a very docile peace-loving nature, and in many instances had never been in Germany, or had left their country at a very early age. Their repatriation was the mildest thing imaginable. They had become reconciled to their fate, although prepared to continue their lives in Samoa and left the country of their adoption without any trouble whatsoever. Many of their children were born in Samoa. As the journalist who had to write up their departure I could not, however much 1 disliked them as Germans, help feeling a pang of pity. Indeed, we Britishers, with few exceptions, felt alike. They had played the game to the last. * j This repatriation day was to test the necessity of the constabulary. There was not the slightest occasion for their presence, as I saw in my position as a newspaper man almost all the details associated with their departure. It is not commonly known in New Zealand that the transport Main, which took the Germans out, had arrived with influenza on hoard, which persuaded the authorities to give the deportees the option of going on board the infected ship. Every German elected to go. Four or five stayed behind, but only for business reasons, to be deported at a later, date. The repatriation was the softest job that any police service could have had. The Germans actually helped the police to facilitate the work. They gave the constabulary no trouble whatsoever.

Where was the special mission Sir James Allen had referred to? Time has proved the futility of his statement. At the time our delega-

tion left Samoa the constabulary had been reduced from 40 or 50 to 17, in charge of a chief inspector, two sub-Inspectors, two senior sergeants, and four sergeants—altogether 28 men. Samoa's criminal record compares very favourably with any part of the world. It is now stated that presently the constabulary will bo reduced lo 10. There will be no warrant for even that number. Six would more than amply meet requirements. An Embarrassing Position. In this connection it would be meet to mention that the Government has been considerably embarrassed by the constabulary, which primarily was engaged for three years. Those who have been returned to New Zealand, have, in several instances, claimed compensation, which has been paid. All of these men were promised houses in Samoa atTd that their wives in due course would follow them. The irony of this aspect was that on arrival in Samoa there was bardlv half a dozen houses available and what the men bad to say about it would he interesting reading. They themselves were herded together in the old garrison quarters, with no possible prospect, on account of the shortage of houses, of their wives and families joining them. The whole mission of the constabulary was an abject farce, if a question were asked in the House concerning its expense, the figures would prove a revelation. I Wave dwelt at some length on this particular phase, but the irony of the whole position was the fact that there was a volunteer reserve force of no fewer than 80 armed Britishers, never recognised by the present Administrator, and why such a useful force was overlooked it is diflicult to comprehend. If there was any possibility of trouble, which was decidedly remote, these men were easily available. The expense on the constabulary wa.s wholly unwarranted.

Seething with Discontent

Samoa has for months past been a country of seething discontent. Our governance is autocratic to a degree. At present Samoa is under a so-called "civil" administration, with precisely the same officials who ruled it during the military occupation. It is so unsatisfactory, for the reason that taxation without representation in any responsible community is diverse to the best traditions of British justice. For six long years has Samoa stood this autocratic rule, and the time has indeed arrived to cry aloud for a halt. Did Samoa not in the Tripartite days have a Municipal Council of its own popularly selected, running on 2 per cent, of the revenue? Decidedly so. And this council is recorded to have accomplished its work with credit. And why not again! An editor of an only newspaper has wonderful facilities for securing the popular feeling. In this connection, while I was averse to the New Zealand Government's vague policy—if it has a policy—l was keen to assist it and guide local opinion. But the dissatisfaction of the community was so rife against the Administration that, try as I might to help the latter—between it and the Administration I was betwixt the "devil and the deep sea." 1 was threatened on the one hand with the extinction of the Administration's printing work, or losing all the advertisements from the business community.

As editor of the "Samoa Times/' T could give an interesting resume of the idiosyncrasies of the several censors who held sway over the paper. Suffice to state briefly that, at an important interview between the live shareholders and the Administrator, Colonel R. \V. Tale, the latter told me he would have no criticism in the paper on the Administration or the New Zealand Government. I was practically an editor without a soul. The Delegation's Mission. Our delegation represents a capital of at least three-quarters of a million. Our community protests against taxation without representation, while the Administration is wasting thousands of pounds on extravagant projects which are better dealt with by private enterprise. At the present time the Government runs our only hotel, the German plantations, the ice works, the butchery, an ice-cream parlour (connected with the hotel), while it has in project the running of a laundry, which will deprive innumerable Sanioans of a livelihood; a cold store for food, and a Government retail stores depot. This lastnamed was brought about owing to the request of the civil servants for increased salaries, on the score of increased cost of living. It is proposed to supply these servants with groceries at landed cost plus 10 per cent., in lieu of increased salaries to the extent asked lor. It is feared by the traders, among whom there is very keen competition, that this Government store will be abused, as was the garrison canteen during the occupation, where natives and Europeans outside the military could secure almost anything they desired free of duty. If this store is strictly confined to civil servants our traders will be quite satisfied.

There are at least three out of the five shareholders of the "Samoa Times'' who are Government ollicials, while a fourth is a Legislative Councillor. They hold the balance of voting and can influence and direct the policy of the paper. Since I left Samoa three weeks ago 1 have been informed that Judge Watson, of the Administration, has disposed of his £IOOO interest in the paper. To whom it would be enlightening to know.

In this article it is difficult to deal extensively with Samoa's grievances. It is a terribly hard thing to say that old residents who have lived in Samoa many years would prefer the German regime back again. It must he remembered that in Samoa on all sides it is generally admitted that the Germans were most kindly disposed towards the British. I)r Soil', the ex-German Governor, has left behind him an excellent impression. (To he continued.)