FUTURE OF SAMOA.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16167, 22 March 1918, Page 6

FUTURE OF SAMOA.

WELLINGTON FEELING

(press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, March 21. A public meeting was held to-night in the concert chamber of the Town Hall to express tho views of citizens on the future of Samoa. Tho following resolution was carried: — "That, while recognising that the interests, desires and power of the British Empire as a wliolo and its Allies, and not those of any part tof It, must ultimately determine the terms of peace, this meeting declared its conviction that the restoration of the German colonies in the Pacific would involve a standing menace not Only to the interests of Groat Britain and her Dominions, but also to the peaceful development of all other free communities in these seas. And, further, that while accopting without reserve the statement of President Wilson that in determining all questions of sovereignty the interests of the population concerned must have equal weight with tho equitable claims of the Government whose title is to be determined, this meeting considers that tho principle of self-determination cannot reasonably be applied to the native populations of the Pacific in their present"condition."