QUIET AT SAMOA.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 238, 8 October 1928, Page 9

QUIET AT SAMOA.

SIR J. CARRUTHERS' OPINION.

FAITH IN COLONEL ALLEN.

THE COOK CELEBRATIONS.

"Matters were very quiet at Samoa when I was there," said Sir Joseph Carruthers, official representative of the Government of Australia at the Cook celebrations at Hawaii, "but I am precluded from saying much about Samoa because of my official position. "I am, however, at liberty to say that matters were very quiet at Samoa when I was there in June. I met Col. Allen, the Administrator, and had a talk with him. He seemed to be just the type of man now required to bring about a peaceful settlement of affairs. The natives were indifferent to him, waiting for some friendly gesture which would hold out the olive branch and so pave the way to harmony.

"The Mau organisation is very strong, and no European or half-caste influence controls them. I have faith in Col. Allen because of his avowed determination to mark time until opportunity offers itself to bring about greater mutual confidence 1 as between the natives and the Administration. ' 'Tersonally I received a fine reception at Apia, and at the native institutions ! which I visited under the guidance of the 1 leading missionaries. I made it clear that I could not listen to any discussions on political matters, and the Samoans . acquiesced loyally in my desire in that regard. "I notice that Sir Thomas Henley has expressed some very hasty and ill-in-formed opinions on Samoan affairs. They are so absurd that they need no comment from me, especially as Mrs. Nelson and Tamasese, whom Sir Thomas quotes, have both absolutely repudiated every statement attributed to them by Sir T. Henley. That being so, there is not the slightest basis left f»k any of his views or opinions, as he bunt these on the alleged statements of these persons who now entirely deny: that they ever made them.. ; I sincerely hope that some tactful and kindly action may be taken by the Vdmlnistrator 'which will end the uniappy and ' unfortunate position in Sairida."Iri regard to the Cook celebrations,! ;he£e passed off splendidly, and they relouiid to the credit of the United States government and to the Territorial Government whicli carried them through. The proceedings at the spot where Captain Cook died were the outstanding feature Df all. Fully 20,000 people were gathered round the bay, and a fleet of vessels were on the adjacent water, including six or seven warships. I was invited to make the oration here, and I felt the honour and responsibility, inasmuch as I represented British sentiment, and my audience was pricipally American. "After the ceremony I was warmly thanked by the chairman, Dr. Gregory,] by the commissioners and by the leading Americans present. I believe much good will accrue from the celebrations, and a kindlier feeling will be permanently established with regard to Captain Cook and the early British explorers of the Pacific. "The New Zealand delegates did their part well, and the warship Dunedin and its fine commander, Capt. Swabey, well represented the Dominion. Mr. Cohen and Dr. Buck were good men, playing their part well."