THE SAMOA TRIP

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 78, 27 December 1919, Page 6

THE SAMOA TRIP

FOR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT NO DATES FIXED No arrangements have yet been mado for the proposed trip of mem tiers of Parliament to Samoa early in the year, but negotiations have been opened with the Union Company as to the possibility of obtaining a suitable steamer for the voyage. It is still hoped that a visit by members of Parliament to Samoa will bo possible, but in any event it is considered that some Ministers should go ,to the group and examine the conditions there. Parliament, has still to consider the future government of Samoa under the mandate, and the debates of last year, tx> «av nothing of the election propaganda, of at least one of the parties, made it clear that the burning question regarding Samoa will Ik* that of the employment of indentured labour on the plantations. A visit by Ministers would not make this problem more easy of settlement, but it is possible that if members of Parliament, including Labour members, could arrange to go to Samoa, there might he better evidence to enable tho House to come to a decision. Owing to the early months of the year being the hurricane season, it may not lie possible for the partv to leave New Zealand until about April. If so there can be no very early meeting of Parliament this year. ' General Ttobin is relieving Colonel Tato as Administrator at Samoa for a time, and ho will not resume his old position as Commandant of the New Zealand Forces on his return to New Zealand. He will, however, ho retained in the service of the Government for some months, until he has qualified for superannuation, and in the meantime he will be assigned other duties.