SAMOA.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1929, Page 8

SAMOA.

Two efforts have been made recently to obtain a further review of affairs in Western Samoa. The more important was the appeal broadcasted through the Press by Sir Maul Pomare. By virtue of his blood, and. on account of his long experience as Minister of Native Affairs, Sir Maui can claim to have some understanding of the' Polynesian outlook and the temperament to which a more complex civilisation is being accommodated. His appeal merits sympathetic consideration. It is a suggestion to drop all harsh measures, such as banishment and deprivation of authority from native chieftains, and to give Samoans a real share in the government of their own country. In regard to the proposal that European and Samoan should “get together” and drop mutual recrimination, there would seem nothing in Sir Maui Pomare’s suggestion that has not already been offered by the present Administrator and his staff. It is the Samoan who remains sullen and at times truculently hostile. So long as this attitude is maintained, there does not seem any other course open but to enforce respect for law and order. The ex-Minister’s appeal should be addressed in the first instance to the Samoans themselves. If they show willingness to “bury the hatchet,*’ 1 and to co-operate with the administration, there is not the slightest doubt that their overtures wlil be received with all sympathy and respect. In time it may be possible to leave to Samoans quite a large share of their own self-government. Before such can be entrusted to them they must show signs of being fit for the responsibility, and at least as much cohesion in constructive work as they have shown in supporting that instrument of sullen petulance known as the “Mau.” If Sir Maui’s appeal meets with a response from the Samoans, he and they need have little fear but that it will be accepted with a single-minded wish to do what is best for both European and Samoan. The second effort is a pamphlet issued by Mr. O. F. Nelson . containing his views upon the manner in which his appeal on behalf of certain Samoans was treated by the League of Nations. It is true he was before the Mandates Commission of the League, but he himself reports/ having handed to every member thereof a written statement of the case he had to present. In addition the High Commissioner for New Zealand and the late Administrator of Samoa were examined by the Commission. Its finding was a scathing indictment of Mr. Nelson and his friends, whom the commission considered were more concerned with personal gain than for the welfare of the Samoans. From the Samoan Court to that of New Zealand and even to the Privy Council Mr. Nelson has attempted all legal methods of justifying his actions, and has failed at every turn. Outside those ’ methods he has had the opportunity of proving his case before an unbiassed Royal Commission, the Parliament of New Zealand, and, in writing, if not in person, before the League of Nations. The result has been the same in each case. If Mr. Nelson would wish his care for the Samoans to be considered unselfish he should use his influence to induce them to take the first steps towards the co-operation with the Administration recommended by Sir Maui Pomare.