NEW STANDARDS FOR SAMOA

Taranaki Daily News, 9 December 1931, Page 8

NEW STANDARDS FOR SAMOA

DOMINION’S BENEFICIENT POLICY FORMER ADMINISTRATOR’S VIEW. The monthly luncheon of the Eltham business men was held at Sheehy s tea rooms yesterday, when an address on Samoa was given by Colonel R. W. late, who was at one time Administrator oi Samoa under the mandate to New Zealand. . Mr. Tate spoke of the very hot and nerve-trying climate —hot and moist day and night throughout the year, except in May, when the trade winds helped to evaporate the perspiration. 'The oppressive heat had the effect of making the nerves of whites very, touchy and they would do things that one would not otherwise expect them to do. Mr. Tate contradicted the assertion often made that 'Samoa was better under German rule. In 1919 when he took office the butter obtainable was like oil, eaten out of a tin; they had an occasional piece of flaJb'by beef, and there were no arrangements for water or drainage. Once he was given a leg of mutton from the freezer of a warship, and with that he gave a dinner party, the “fresh” meat being much enjoyed. Another dinner party was given with a few stalks of celery and .lettuce. By 1923 water supply and cool storage had been developed, mutton became common and decent butter could oe had. Electric light was introduced and a laundry established, where one’s clothes could be washed without the risk of catching native “itch.” It v/as difficult to imagine how the Germans lived for so many years under the discomforts. In making a comparison it was seen that the complaints against the new administration were not based on the material conditions, which were very much improved, 'but on something different. The population consisted of 30,000 natives and 2000 half-castes and whites. The half-castes were representative of every nation under heaven, some 'being delightful, while others were, not. The first thing the New Zealand Government did was to impose prohibition in a place where strong drink had been drunk like water, with terrible orgies as the result. The white population consisted of three sections officials, traders and missionaries. The traders had all their lives lived by selling to the natives and exploiting them in the purchase of their copra. The New Zealand Government made it clear that its object was to govern in the interests of the natives and that the freedom of the trader was to go. In these two things were the grounds for the discontent. The fact that the people who voiced the complaints were natives was explained by the easy possibility of getting hold of disgruntled persons in native countries if one made it worth their while. The objections and petitions that were heard did not necessarily flow from any reasonable cause but were due to the New Zealand Administration regarding its aim as clean government, and those who bought cheaply and sold dearly, of course, did not like the administration. On the motion of Mr. H. CliffordJones Mr. Tate was given a hearty vote of thanks for his interesting address. The Mayor (Mr. I. J. Bridger) presided, and expressed pleasure at seeing several new faces. He said that the next speaker would be Dr. W. Gordon, whose subject would be “Pan-Pacific Union.” SWIMMING CLUB NIGHT. NOMINATIONS AND HANDICAPS. Following are the nominations and handicaps for the Stratford Swimming Club’s weekly club evening on Wednesday ; — Senior men’s diving and 2a yards scratch race to select touring relay race team: A. Robson, S. Phillips, Osborne, J. Davis, J. Weston, L. Parker, C. J. Power, F. Alger, R. Watson, J. Gardiner, D. Butcher, W. Boyd, J. Henderson, W. Adams, B. Trueman, B. Lonsdale, T. McCluggage, R. Boyd, E. Pugh, M. Gaze, J. Pettigrew, C. Currie, R. Butcher, H. Smart, W. Fastier, J. Carryer, B. McMillan, W. Hale, T. Verney, W. Verney, H. Lampshire, T. Maguire, F. Sanderson. Ladies’’ 50 yards free style: K. Dixon scr, M. Nelson scr, Marsh 3sec, E. Irving 4sec, L. Sanderson ssec, M. Grubb 3 sec. - Intermediate girls’ 25 yards breaststroke: G. Hale scr, L. Wickham scr, B. Villiers Isec, L. Thompson 3sec, B. Macalister 2sec. Junior girls, 25 yards breast-stroke: H. Webby scr, R. Webby scr, M. Gor-don-'Stables scr, R. Black scr, J. Hale Isec, F. Russ 2sec, D. McCluggage 2sec, E. Callaghan 3sec, P. Sanderson 3sec, M. Knight 3sec, M. Ferguson 3sec, P. Buchart 3sec. Intermediate boys’ 50 yards free: — First heat: H. S'kuse 2sec, T. Villiers 3sec, S. Hill osec, A. Adams fisec. Second heat: R. Eagarr scr, M. Colburn scr, J. Richards 4sec, A. McLean 4sec, O. J. Power 6sec. Junior boys’ 25 yards free style: W. Davis, N. Turnbull, H. Keller, M. Hill, R. Masters, B. Kivell, F. Lindop, W. Tocker, C. O’Carroll, L. Reader and D. Coleman. Corfu dive, open; ribbon dive, junior boys. TAHORA DISTRICT NEWS. A successful children’s “hard-up” social was held on Saturday in aid of the Tahora school funds. There was a large attendance of parents and friends from the surrounding district and all appeared to enjoy themselves. Some of the costumes were amusing and original. The children’s items were: The Cobbler Dance, junior pupils; Come Little Partner, junior pupils; Half Moon, senior pupils; grand march and musical arms by all the children. The dances were well performed and reflected credit on the teachers, Mr. Hawkes and Miss M. Kenny. The children’s 'portion of the programme was conducted by the senior pupils, the masters of ceremonies being Jack McCartie, Laurence Shine and Basil Cleland. Music was supplied by Mesdames Yorke and Hawkes and Mr. Bottomley. Supper was provided by the parents, arrangements being in the hands of Mesdames Gill, Bottomley, McKenny, Coxhead and McCutchan and senior girls. Dancing for the pupils was continued until 10 p.m., when the adults took the floor until midnight. The Monte Carlo dance was won by Mr. and Mrs. O’Keefe. Influenza has been prevalent, practically every household being affected. The Moki Saddle, usually a rough piece of road, is in splendid order just now, having recently had the grader over it. Shearing is almost completed in this district owins to the fine weather.