THE FUTURE OF SAMOA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 148, 12 March 1918, Page 6

THE FUTURE OF SAMOA

_4 "SHALL NOT REVERT TO GERMANY." (By Telefrrapli-Special Correspondent.) Napier, March 11. To-day the Hawke's Bay County Council considered a well-circulated resolution from tile Auckland City Council, in which the latter body asks that Samoa shall remain in British hands and expresses an opinion that this resolution will strengthen tho hands of tho Dominion's representatives to the Imperial Conference. The county chairman (Sir. T. E. Crosso), who has interests in the island, with which he is thoroughly acquainted, expressed an opinion that Samoa might cither come under American rule or be farmed into a Crown colony of Fiji. "I <lo not consider the islands would be of great value to the Dominion from a trade point of view," he added. After cftrcful consideration, during which the speakers hinted at the inadvisableaoss of indicating any definite policy regarding Samoa, a resolution was passed "That on no account shall Samoa revert to Germany." SOME LABOUR OPPOSITION. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, March 14. The Auckland City Council's resolution urging the retention of Samoa after tin; war came before the City Council this evening. It was moved and seconded that the motion lie endorsed, but Councillor E. J. Howwd moved an amondmont that the question be referred to tho Peace Conference to deal with. _ He said he was not going to suggest it, but Auckland boing so near &amoa the motion lent iL;>elf to the idea of self interest. Ho know Samoa fairly well, and declared that it was not worth one New Zealnnder's life, let alone the fact that it might mean a sacrifice of 10,000 or 20,000 men to retain it. Labour was j opposed to anything being taken by force. "Wo know by past history," ho said, "that if we hold Samoa it means the continuance of conscription in this country; that if we hold it it means a future Avar. Don't let us do anything at -tiiis time to handicap our children and force our children and our children's children to be cannon fodder." In his opinion they should not- do anything to prevent a peace conference being held. Councilor Ada Wells seconded the amendment. She said the people could not give Mr, Massey and Sir Joseph Ward a mandate except by a referendum.

Tho Mayor (Mr. Holland) considered rb would be absolute suicide to allow our enemy, who stuck at nothing, to reoccupy the South Pacific Islands. Other Labour members of the council supported Mr. Holland's views. Tho amendment was negatived and the motion carried by eleven votes to