THE TROUBLE IN SAMOA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20085, 2 March 1928, Page 7

THE TROUBLE IN SAMOA

EX-POLICE CHIEF SPEAKS ADMINISTRATOR’S CONDUCT VINDICATED ( Per Press Association )'. GREYMOUTH, March.l In an interview to-day, Mr Cruickshank, ex-Commissioner of Police and Prisons at Samoa, made an interesting statement concerning the crisis in Samoa. Mr Cruickshank is on a holiday visit to Greymouth. Hra retired from the Police Force in 1920, after serving 43 years, and went out with the rank of Superintendent, He visited the Old Country, and while in London accepted the post of Commissioner in Samoa. He commenced duty in January, 1922, and during the four years he held the position reorganised the Samoan police and prison service.

‘‘Speaking without bias, personal, financial, or political, I will give the facts relating to the trouble in Samoa,” said Mr Cruickshank. “I know personally Messrs Nelson, Smyth, and Gurr, also Messrs Westbrook, Williams and all the other members of the Citizens’ Committee, the self-constitut-ed organisation whose interest as traders is to make profits, in contrast to the Administration, the object of which is to administer the affairs of the Islands for the benefit of all the natives themselves, who are quite incapable, and will be so for years, of carrying out the administration themselves even in miner branches. Prohibition and Copra.

“The trouble in Samoa arises from only two sources, namely, prohibition and copra. Ever since prohibition was inaugurated there has been an agitation to restore the licensed bar, and it continues as strongly as ever, notwithstanding statements to the contrary. “Speaking from my knowledge of the natives and half-castes, I am satisfied that the open bar and the sale of intoxicating liquor for personal gain, even with restrictions, is certainly not in the best interests of cither the natives, half-castes or the European residents. In some cases, owing to the enervating climate, a stimulant under medical direction is necessary, and that system is in force. Some politicians have publicly stated that the Administrative officials arc violating the law by manufacturing liquor. That is only a half truth. The fact is that a European in such a climate cannot drink much water and keep healthy. A light beer is brewed,. and if not over three per cent, alcoholic strength, is allowed by law. Many Europeans, including Administrative officials, make this beverage, which is quite lawful; in fact a number of traders manufacture and sell it to anyone who wishes to buy, including natives. Selling for the Natives. “In American Samoa, 70 miles distant, all the copra is collected from the natives by the American Administration and sold in the highest market, the proceeds being handed over to the natives, but in Western Samoa, the Burns, I’hilp and Nelson companies and a few smaller traders purchase all the

natives’ copra. The price of copra is practically decided by the Nelson and Burns, Philp traders.

“The Administrator, who has the native interest at heart, intimated that he intended to collect the native copra and market it on behalf of the natives, so that they would get a better price for the copra. Up to this point all was well. There was no Mau, no agitation, and no trouble. The Start of the Mau. “The trouble started after the visit made to New Zealand by Mr Nelson, and the Mau was set up. General Richardson's administration is appreciated by everybody except some beach-comb-ers who must find fault with everybody and everything. No Administrator, including the political critics in New Zealand, could possibly get on -with Mr Nelson unless he carried out his ideas and wishes. I am under no obligation to General Richardson, who is just the same to inc as anyone else. During the years I spent in Samoa I made a special study of the native psychology. The 32 native constables under me were all chiefs, and I was able to gather information from them as to how the new administrative ideas were taking on among the natives generally. “General Richardson does not consider himself at all. He is working wholly and solely in the interests of the natives. No man could have done better than he has done in Samoa with regard to the medical, educational, moral and sanitary welfare of the natives. It has been said in New Zealand that there is too much brass hat and military domination in Samoa.

There is absolutely no such thing and every Samoan from the highest to the lowest native, can approach General Richardson for advice and guidance, and has done so. The Banishments “Much political capital has been made out of the term ‘banishment,’ but it is not warranted. “In Samoa banishment means this: A chief or native of lesser rank often leaves his own village and goes to stay at another. His conduct, moral or otherwise, becomes obnoxious and the villagers complain to the polenu (the native responsible for the conduct of the village). If he considers the complaint justified he sends it on to the Faipule (native member of Parliament) who requests the Administrator to have the offending native removed. Inquiries are then made by departmental officers. If they regard the complaint as well founded, and consider that there is likely to be a serious disturbance in the village, the Administrator issues an order for the native to leave the village and return to his own.

“In some cases a scallywag chief becomes obnoxious in his own vilagc and a request is made for his removal. Il’ the Administrator is satisfied that rhe chief’s continued residence in the village is likely to lead to trouble and perhaps bloodshed, the chief is ordered to go to some distant village and remain there for a stated period, generally six months or a year. That is the procedure and th is what, has been called banishment. What has taken place in Samoa is simply in the interests of all concerned, including those who are removed. “As Thick as Sparrows.” “ Chiefs in Samoa are as thick as sparrows. In every other village they have, as it were, a chief factory. Any native who considers himself a grand orator and is too lazy to work has only to kill a pig and give his neighbours a feast to be made a chief. Then he struts about like a peacock and in many cases domineers the people. £OlllO of these chiefs arc thorough scallywags. They are jealous of the Pai pules, who hold official salaried positions and hold a fono (or local native parliament) every six months with the Administrator. “The Samoan native is like a schoolboy. For instance, if one boy at a New Zealand school has a top, another would want it. That explains Samoan jealousy. The Mau is really an assemblage of dissatisfied chiefs who arc jealous of those in Government positions. No “Big Stick.” “A great deal has been made by political critics in New Zealand of what they have alleged to be the ‘big stick’ methods employed by the Government. Recently half a dozen unarmed police constables were sent to Samoa and the critics made a terrible noise about such tremendous demonstrations of force. There were only two European police officers in Samoa, and the half-a-dozen constables brought the force to eight all told. There are about 30 native police, but they cannot wholly be depended upon m a crisis. “The population of Samoa is 40,000. The natives number 38,000. Of the remaining 2000 only 500 or 600 are Europeans, the remainder being half-castes. Can any sane man say that eight European police for 40.000 inhabitants scattered over the two islands of Samoa is a number in excess of even ordinary requirements? I think the ‘big stick’ lias been in the hands of the Mau, which is really a government in opposition to the Administration. No Real Grievances.

“General Richardson has invited the Mau to discuss their grievances, but they have no real grievances. The Samoan natives collectively arc a firn., lovable people, and it i. 3 a shame that they are to be put in ‘no man’s land,’ between two opposing forces and made the medium cither of economic or political propaganda which may lead io serious consequences. I consider that it is most unmanly to make allegations against General Richardson behind his back, because he has no opportunity of replying.

“Air Nelson has many good qualities. He is a friend of mine, and lam quite friendly towards him, but I would like the people of Now Zealand to know the truth and that is my only motive for speaking. If the people of New Zealand knew as much as I do about Samoa and its people, there would probably be less criticism and propaganda from certain quarters, as I would not have a hope of deceiving New Zealanders.”