The Dominion MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1928. TRAINING FOR NATIVE ADMINISTRATION

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 115, 13 February 1928, Page 8

The Dominion MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1928. TRAINING FOR NATIVE ADMINISTRATION

Professor Denham, of Canterbury College, has returned from the annual meeting of the Australian Association for the Advancement of Science with the suggestion that success in native administration depends upon an understanding of the anthropological history of the people concerned. He points out that the Commonwealth Government, convinced of the soundness of this proposition, has lately inaugurated a scheme under which an officer in a mandated territory, after spending one year in the native service, returns to Sydney for a course in anthropology, resuming his official duties with a mind refreshed and broadened by his scientific study. “Conceivably,” adds Professor Denham, “if our officials in Samoa had had a similar training in the various aspects of the native mind some of the present difficulties might not have arisen.” Before giving further consideration to this suggestion, it is necessary to remind Professor Denham of the judicially-established fact that our recent trouble in Samoa had its origin, not in errors of administration, but in a deliberate movement amongst a coterie of discontented whites and half-castes to kindle disaffection amongst the natives and embarrass the administration. In such an emergency, British common sense, firmness, and promptitude are far more essential to the successful handling of the situation than a knowledge of anthropology. That a knowledge of the anthropological aspect of our native problems would be of assistance to our future administrators of native communities may be readily conceded. The implication which resides in Professor Denham’s hypothetical reference to the trouble in Samoa, however, does the present Administrator (Sir George Richardson) less than justice. On taking up his appointment, Sir George Richardson applied himself with much earnestness and diligence to the task of mastering the native language, and making himself acquainted with the origin and significance of Samoan tribal customs. He had previously demonstrated the possession of qualities of tact, forbearance, and a capacity for administrative work, and there can be no question that up till the time when a self-interested group began to make trouble, our administration of this mandated territory had been highly successful, and unreservedly commended by the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations. In considering our future plans for the government of Samoa, therefore, it is right and fair that those who have carried on in the meantime should be accorded the justice due to them. We took over Samoa as we found it—an entirely new problem—and proceeded to govern it with the best material at hand. That this material proved to be eminently suitable and successful is a fortunate circumstance, for which the country has reason to be thankful. With a weak administration, and the same elements of dissaffection at work to undermine the Government’s policy for the protection and upliftment of the Samoan people, chaos might conceivably have been the result.

Profiting by past experience, British policy in recent years has been to stand between the native peoples and the self-interest of whites, resident in their communities, who attempt to exploit them. It is clear that for the successful carrying out of this policy special training and knowledge are required, and no doubt Professor Denham’s suggestion is of value in this respect.