SAMOAN GRIEVANCES.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1920, Page 8

SAMOAN GRIEVANCES.

DELEGATION TO MINISTERS. By Telesraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Sept. 2. The delegation which has come from merchants and traders in Samoa to represent their grievances to the New Zealand Government was received by Mr Massey and the Minister for External Affairs to-day. The chief request was for representation on the Legislative Council, which now comprises four official and three non-official members, the latter nominated by the Government. The deputa-. tion asked that the non-official' members be elected by popular vote, and thus be free from the influence of the administration. Extravagant administration was alleged, including an attempt to establish an agricultural school, the opening of new leper and quarantine stations, and the building of a harbormaster's residence at Savaii. Three new roads were built in the vicinity of Apia, and were never used. Replying to Ministers, the deputation said the ; matters mentioned were not brought under the notice of Sir James Allen. The deputation expressed willingness to drop the complaints of wastefulness if a better system was inaugurated. Regarding the Government hotel at Apia, taken over after prohibition was carried, it was asserted that the loss was £IOO per week. Mr .Gray, Under-Secretary of External Affairs, said his information was that the hotel was paying its way. The deputation said it was now proposed to expend £6OOO in extending the hotel, which was unnecessary when private people were willing to provide accommodation. The latest proposal was to open a Government store, again interfering with private enterprise. Mr. Gray said the store was to be primarily an issue store for the Government. The deputation said the rhinocerous beetle was increasing owing to lack of supervision, and the copra had deteriorated from the same cause. Regarding the Samoa Times, proofs of what was going into the paper were, always sent to the Administration before the paper was published. There had been sufficient influence to result in certain things failing to appear. Shares were held by Government officials and it was natural that the policy of the paper should be influenced. Mr. Massey said the political representation sought would probably come in time. Respecting the paper question, he gave an assurance that the Government had nothing to do with it and had no financial interest in the paper and had not been responsible for certain of the officials taking advantage of what appeared a good proposition. The Minister of External Affairs said the organisation in Samoa was under one of the Government's most competent officials, who could he trusted not to use more men than were required. The work of the administration was much greater than formerly. The-p'ro-fits from the trade in Samoa would be used for development work. Mr. Gray said the store was established to meet the needs of the administration. It was not the object of the Government to go in for private trading.