SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

Wairarapa Age, 2 July 1936, Page 6

SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

CONFERENCE WITH GOODWILL DELEGATES. BEQUESTS BY THE MAU. APIA, June 29. A conference lasting nearly three hours was held at Vaimoho this afternoon between representatives of the Mau and the New Zealand goodwill delegates. The proceedings were friendly and of a most cordial nature. An assurance was given by the Minister, the Hon. B. Langstone, that the members of the Mau would be given full rights of citizenship and the same privileges as are enjoyed by British subjects in New Zealand. The Labour Party, he said, accepted no responsibility for happenings in the past. The Samoans would be taken into the confidence of the Government. In reply to a request for the removal of the Acting Administrator and other officials from the previous Government, Mr. Langstone pointed out that the new Government did not remove its officials from the Public Service in the Dominion. The Government fixed the policy and the officials carried it out. Any official not doing so would be icmoved. Tamasese remarked that the former Government had told the Mau leaders that they did not know what they wanted. Mr. Langstone said that the attitude of the p-resent Government was that nobody knew better what Samoa wanted than the Samoan himself. If there were any harsh laws which would not be tolerated in a country like New Zealand they would be got rid of immediately. The delegation was anxious to find means of improving the conditions generally, and was considering an increase of 6d a case in the price for bananas paid to growers during the existence of the present contract. The subject of taxation was discussed and deferred for further consideration by the Mau. The Mau requested better representation in the Legislative Council, and the delegation put forward proposals that the representatives of the Samoans be increased from two to four and that if instances arose where a large minority objected to the passing of ordinances then tne subject matter should be referred to the Government. These were accepted. The Mau agreed to combine with the Malo and attend to business at a fono at Muhnuu to-morrow.