GOOD WILL MISSION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20445, 16 June 1936, Page 8

GOOD WILL MISSION

DEPARTURE FOR SAMOA TO-DAY

By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, June 15.

“It is purely a good will mission and we will hold out the hand of cordial friendship to the people of Samoa,” said the Hon. F. Langstone, who, with Mr J. O'Brien, member for Westland, will leave Wellington to-morrow afternoon for the mandated territory of Samoa as a delegation from the New Zealand Government. “The mandated territory of Western Samoa was handed over to New Zealand as a sacred trust and the good name of our country and of its people is involved in its administration,” Mr Langstone said in a farewell message. “Naturally we are anxious that any administration under our jurisdiction should rank high in the Councils of the Nations and that it should be well received by the League which ultimately is responsible for the mandate.

“The reason why the Prime Minister is sending a good will delegation to the Samoans is that we should be able to understand and grasp the Samoan mind. It will be a difficult thing to do in such a short period, but that is the purpose of our visit. We want to avoid the conflicts which have arisen in the past and which have resulted in much heartburning both among Samoans and New Zealand people.” Accompanying the delegation will be Mrs Langstone, Mrs O’Brien, Mr A. W. Mulligan, private secretary to the Minister, and who will act in a secretarial capacity to the delegation, Mrs Mulligan and Mr T. F. Reilly of the literary staff of the "Dominion,” who will represent the United Press Association of New Zealand.