The Frantic Way

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17964, 8 March 1930, Page 1 (Supplement)

The Frantic Way

(By ‘Darius.”>

'.“■And Piiv, like a naked new-born babe, Striding tbo Sightless Coursers or the Air. IT is with pity and not with blame that the frantic way should have been chosen to a better understanding and brotherhood by both parties m the mandated country of Samoa. In one case it mav be claimed that there was no choice bat* the appeal by force. The 'outstanding fact is that the clash was attended with such pitiable consequences that forces are beirn- recruited in this country for transport to the island territory to support and enforce the provisions of law, rather late There is one aspect of the case, however. that should be considered, quietly and justly, without party bias, and that is the military methods of enforcing our laws over an aboriginal people, without a sufficient hacking to enforce law without bloodshed. From the commencement of our mandatory occupation there was some doubt, as to the desirability of In stating a military Administrator. As to the choic that was made no objection could'be made other than that the Administrator had but recently been released from active military command. Of his personal attributes of justice, honour and kindliness, nothing but praise could have been accorded. And yet it has been frequently impressed upon the public mind that the theatre of war is the definite place in which to stage the action of the general, and that a man of peace should administer our laws over a peaceful people. That a military administrator succeeded the first indicated a sanguine spirit on the part of the Government, as the term of the first had not been too felicitous. Sut thero are the facts and there also the results Er That. 13 any others might have done better Is not by any means certain, for both had special administrative qualifications._ so far as a government is capable of judging, yet there are many who affirm it is a gra\e error to introduce even the semblance of Militarism into subordinate government under the State, or even into departments of civil administration.

Forebodings. IF seems now that there was something strangely foreboding and prophetic in the masterful speech delivered by the Hon., The Minister for Native affairs in Parliament in October last, when there had already been some criticism of our administration. We shall not discuss the difficulties of the position as it then appeared, or the influences that may have been exercised to unfairly discredit the very reputable officer in control, but with all the force of eloquent and apt terms Sir A. T. Ngata enunciated this principle, “It is fundamental that the laws must be framed in accord with the minds of any people whether Samoans or Europeans. We shall certainly enforce the law as it now stands, but in doing so shall we mot succeed at the expense of our own credit and respect. It is a little thing for a powerful nation to gain submission by a show of force: it would have been a great conquest to have won without a display of armed and overwhelming superiority . . . Those who have lived with the Samoans tell us that they are a very kindly people. Some official genius, for the purpose of obtaining a paltry revenue from this aboriginal people, hit upon the idea of a per capita'basis of taxation which is simple and primordial, and for which no better term could be found than head tax, such as Is . enforced upon the alien Chinese, and which suggests a rate upon quadrupeds rather than upon human beings. There are thousands of pounds of rates overdue on native lands in this country that never will be paid, yet po official would dare to hold up a native procession, either in peaceful or defiant demonstration, to arrest defaulters. Would such action conduce to submission or revolt? We cer-

“We Are But the Earth’s Children.”

tainlv never attempted to degrade the proud aboriginal owners of this country - by Imposing a tax on each head of them. And it is surely wrong to interrupt any native ceremonial such as is cpmmonly practised, by making it an occasion for public arrests when their emotions are supernormally aroused. Perhaps the Samoan administration could not have functioned otherwise. Yet a scholar like the Minister named can understand the untutored native intelligence, with its traditions and native customs and laws, and realise the futility and danger of military parade in times of demonstrational expression. There are common rules for government: “If the government is cruel, the governor’s life is not safe. If you tax too high the revenue will yield nothing. If you make the criminal code too sanguinary, juries will not convict. If the law is too mild, private vengeaneg comes in.” And so difficulties arise and the police enforce the law with or without reference to the Administrator. Make Their Name Dear to History. It should, I think, be our mission to restore the lost splendour of the Samoan as near as may be and to make his name dear to history. We have done that in our own country with the native people so that we are as proud of their military achievements against us as xve are proud of our own military traditions. Further than that, they go step by step with us in Government, in the Church, in sport and in rural industries. There is no department of life In which they have not won distinction, and yet we have failed to apply the same. principles of equal government to an identical people of the same innate talents and manly attributes. Flow did Emerson gain understanding of such simple natures so that he could write: “The nonchalence of boys who are sure of a dinner, and would disdain as much as a lord to do or say aught to conciliate one, is the healthy attitude of human nature. A boy is in the parlour what the pit is in the playhouse; independent, irresponsible, looking out of his comer on such people and facts as pass by, he tries and sentences them on their merits, in the swift summary way of boys, as good, bad, interesting, silly, eloquent, troublesome. He cumbers himself never about consequences, about interests; he gives an independent, genuine verdict. You must court him: he does not court you. Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members. The virtue in most request is conformity. Self-reliance is an aversion.” And these people, governed by our mandate are the youths of humanity, with all their characteristics of pride and primitive judgment. Military command and discipline are not beneficially applicable to them, and if we do not change our methods and govern with an understanding of their hearts our devices will be frustrated or overthrown. For the credit of this country and its reputation in the adjustment of native affairs, we should see that equal judgment and discernment are exercised in the administration of our mandated Samoan territory. The verdict of the court sets out tne plain judgment on one particular day. It was not empowered to assess the cumulative emotions and extraneous influences which preceded the event. The Samoans have been in revolt before, and there is no sense in one political faction, blaming another. We should reason together, being all blameworthy, and from now hencefoith, endeavour to govern without revolt and fatal violence.