SAMOA TO-DAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19914, 9 August 1927, Page 7

SAMOA TO-DAY

NATIVES’ WELFARE IMPROVEMENTS UNDER NEW ZEALAND MANDATE. [ Special “ Chronicle ” Service. ] AUCKLAND, Aug. 8. Having paid a brief visit to Samoa,’ after an absence of nearly seven years, Mr. R. M. Watson, S.M., of Feilding, returned to-day by the steamer Tofua. Mr. Watson was first Chief Judge of the Territory after the military occupation gave place to civil administration under the existing mandate. He was a member of the New Zealand force which captured Samoa in 1914, and acted as civil judge there for a period before re-enlisting for further active service. Mr. Watson had only a few days in Samoa, but managed to see a good deal of the country. “I was delighted with the obvious improvement in the natives’ health and welfare,” he said, “in the appearance of Apia and in the cultivation and reading of the country through which I travelled. As to the unrest there, nothing could be seen on the surface, but there is no doubt to the experienced observer that disaffection, by whomsover prompted, exists among the natives.” As this matter was being dealt with by the proper authorities, Mr. Watson added, it was not for him to offer comment regarding .it, beyond stating his belief that the Administrator (Sir George Richardson) had the welfare of the natives sincerely at heart.