WESTERN SAMOA.

Waikato Times, Volume 120, Issue 19992, 16 September 1936, Page 8

WESTERN SAMOA.

4 30 O’CLOCK EDITION

MR ROBSON’S CRITICISM. REPLY BY PRIME MINISTER. LETTER FROM MR 0. NELSON. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. When his attention was called to the cablegram from Sydney reporting the remarks, of Mr R. Robson, regarding the administration of Western Samoa, the Right Ron. M. J. Savage said Mr O. Nelson was in a better position to sum up the political situation than Mr Robson. He had received from Mr Nelson a memorandum outlining the position in Samoa, and in a covering letter Mr Nelson said he was only •orry that time did not permit his doing more towards the end of bringing to fruition the generous policy of the New Zealand Government while the Ministerial delegation was in Samoa, but the foundation had been laid for mutual goodwill and confidence, which were the basis of good relations between governors and governed and co-operation between the Mau and the administration, which he would do his utmost to foster, augured well for the future.

The responsibility placed on the Samoans to resume the conduct of their own local affairs had already borne good results, in that many minor differences in the villages and districts, which might have led to major issues, had been settled by the good offices of the Samoan chiefs and kept out of court.

The term “malo,” which applied only to such Samoans who held office In the administration, would soon apply to the whole of the Samoans, especially after the Mau had taken part in the election and selection of their own representatives to Faipule Fono, the Legislative Council and other publio offices. Mr Savage said Mr Nelson thanked the Government for his return to his homeland, and for the opportunity given him to serve his people and the mandatory Government. He expressed his best wishes for the long continuance' in office of the present Government.