THE SAMOAN MANDATE.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15044, 11 April 1919, Page 5

THE SAMOAN MANDATE.

MR MASSEY'S REPLY TO CRITIC- ■.■:.-■ . ISM. ■-, ■.'■..."

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association)

t> r• • x ~Lontio»V April 8., 7.?i?f 1 n? g + Y a Tele§ ram from New Zealand to the London newspapers which quoted a section of the New Zealand press as being opposed to the Dominion accepting mandatory control of Samoa Mr Massey states that he agreeable'to purely British control but, as previously explained," the Allied Powers are opposed to direct annexation of the former German colonies Therefore there was no alternative to New Zealand's mandatory control, except the probability of similar occupation by a Bower other than British This, in the , circxim stances, is surely an^ unthinkable humiliation: moreover, Samoa can be made to pay its-way. No garrison will be required and its trade will be valuable to New Zealand.

It is considered by competent authorities that Samoa is one of the most important strategic and trading centres in tne Pacific.

New; Zealand newspapers also state that our administration of the Cook Islands has failed, thus proving incapability for accepting control of bamoa. This statement is unfair in ettect and inaccurate. The British Government authorities say that our administration of the Cook .Islands has been an undoubted success.