MIXED POLITICS

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1926, Page 11

MIXED POLITICS

DISTURBANCE OF PEACE CONTROL OF SAMOAN AFFAIRS. WARNING OF ADMINISTRATOR. By T^’ejraph.—Pre ; Association. ! Wellington, Last Night. On the occasion of a meeting held at Apia on November 12, attended by over 600 Samoans and Europeans, the Act-ing-Secretary to the Administrator read a letter in which General Richardson stated that a serious error had been made in asking the Samoans to discuss politics which affected only Europeans. Freedom of speech and honest criticism of the Government were not barred in any way, but unwarranted attacks on the faipules could, not be passed over by him without it being misunderstood by the natives. He wished certain persons clearly to understand that the effect of bringing natives into the European political arena was unwise and likely to cause trouble if they persisted. They were doing a thing unheard of in the annals of colonial administration. He asked the natives to refrain from co-operating with the Europeans in their agitation on certain matters which do not concern the Samoans. "I wish all people here to understand that I do not approve of a political meeting which mixes native politics with European politics, as its tendency must be to disturb peace and order and good government of the natives.” concluded the letter. The chairman, the Hon. O. F. Nelsbn. said that the interests of the natives and Europeans in Samoa were inseparable. The natives were 95 per eent. of the population, the largest taxpayers, and not represented in the legislative Council. On the motion of the Hon. Westbrook it was decided to go on with the business for which the meeting was specially called. A report of the meeting was submitted to the Minister of External Affairs, the Hon. W. Nos worthy. He said that a fono of faipules which had recently been in session advised him, on Decem--10, of the conclusion of a very satisfactory fono, and with its great satisfaction with the position in Samoa at the present time. The, fono, as at present constituted, had the entire sympathy nnd fullest sppport of the New Zealand Government, which also had the fullest confidence in the administration.