GOVERNING SAMOA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 157, 29 March 1920, Page 4

GOVERNING SAMOA

THE DOMINION'S.MANDATE REQUESTS BY RESIDENTS Some of the matters brought by the Citizens' Comm.ttec under the i.otiuc of Sir James Allen and the members of the Parliamentary party while in Samoa were dealt with by the Minister in u speech at a gathering at Apia on March 9. Hogardiijg the request ior a municipality for Apia, lie mi d he was in favour of such o course when the time was ripe, but he did not believe it was ripe now. There were difficulties of franchise. Were Hermans awl half-castes lo vote; iverc the natives to pay rate.-, and should they have a vote, and so on lfeferring to education, Sir James Allen regretted the statement in the citizens' pamphlet that tho results of the NewZealand Government's work had so far not been encourag ng. He recognised the valuable work done by the missionaries in the islands of the Pacific—(applause)— mid he considered there was no need for the Government to interfere with them. Thev would, in fact, nssist them in any ivny possible. Sir James Allen did not ugree with the assertion that the new const'tulion avowedly aimed at tho destruction of Samoa as u self-governing community. Touching on the question of iinanco, the Minister said New Zealand expected Samoa to find a certn.lll amount of money for works to be carried out. New Zealand was willing to advance money for reproductive works at 5 per cent, and 1 per cent, sir.king fund, the works including water, electric lighting, an .•■eeoinmodatinn house, cold storage, cto. The New Zealand Government would also advance loans on non-productive works, etc., frco of interest, to be paid back when Samoa could afford to refund the loan. Sir James Allen said he.did not agree with the request that the Legislative Council should, be 'made elective. Tho nominative system had been in force in the Cook Group ; for many years, and a representative of the wh'tes on the Advisory Council was now to be elected, mwl as soon as the elective principle could be applied to Sainon it. would hobut Samoa was not ready for it at the moment.- Ho was in sympathy with tho request-of the nhinters for representationon the Council. I Replying to a reference in the comI ln'ttee's pamphlet to the Samoan constabulary, Sir James Allen challenged the statement that it would cost aYear. In any event, New Zealand would f not the bill, and this fact,was known in Samoa. As to the, complaint that Samoa was not officially informed of the decision to bring police from New- Zen< land, he explained Hint to announce tho dispatch of the force would have meant the disclosure of the intention to (vaciiate (he lir'litary force, nnd ihw -"--as »ot advisable. The Government anticipated that the change would bo weleomo as making the first definite act in the reverslon *'■ *iivil Administration. The Minister added: "Though you may not see good reason for sealing Hie constabulary to Sainon. the New Zealand Government does see reason which at the present moment I am nnablo to disclose."