MR. HOLLAND AND SAMOA

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 131, 2 March 1928, Page 10

MR. HOLLAND AND SAMOA

Sir, —It is difficult for one embracing within his ken the last fifty years of New Zealand life to write in measured words of the leader of the Labour Party in the House at the present hour. Cannot the saner heads of that party mitigate rhe unfortunate utterances attributed to their leader?

Far from assisting the Government, his sworn duty, in dealing with Samoan affairs, he is but playing into the hands of a lawless and disaffected faction there. Has he no recollection that invariably, in Britain’s earlier dealing with the coloured races, delicate situations have arisen, aggravated in this instance by their having had the bad luck to be previously under German sway, from which our methods differ. Even in our primary transactions with the Maoris (than whom is no more enlightened, kindly, and able folk by nature) bloodshed was unavoidable. At that period ot colonial disturbance 1 do not seem to recall to-day's Leader of the Opposition. Personally, I am unable to discover we suffered greatly from the loss of his gratuitous counsel during those stirring years. It is necessary for the Samoans to grasp the fact that they now live under British (not German) control. To speak of Samoa for the Samoans at this juncture is but electioneering clap-trap, quite understood by those accustomed to the honourable member’s speeches, <though otherwise in those islands where the poor innocents will imagine him to be a Parliamentarian of some importance whose utterances carry weight. Moreover, if that catch-cry be valid, how about Maoriland for the Maoris, Australia for the blacks, and so on? And is not Mr. Holland himself a bird from another clime who has built his nest here, and feathered it, by no means to his disadvantage, but wholly unsolicited?

Fireworks and mock heroics are doubtless paying advertisement in certain quarters: from one in a semi-offi-cial position, however, they are sadly out of place. Thrust forward by circumstance into a particular environment, it had surely behoved this man to walk more warily. A wise administration of the mandate conferred upon New Zealand by the affiliated council of the League of Nations is, of course, auticipated. Strange that the board exhibits greater faith in our ability, honesty of purpose and good faith than is exhibited by a member of our own Legislature. Socialist management has. little to boast of in these southern regions, as witness their handiwork in Queensland, New South Wales, •etc. What perverted cast of mind must be that seeks to blast the reputation of its own domicile.

Bearing upon this subject, but with no further reference to one from whose polities I am compelled fundamentally to differ, let me remark that there yet exists in the community no inconsiderable number of persons who, having served God in their day and generation, commensurate with their powers, and, incidentally, making the Dominion a fit place to reside in. instinctively view with suspicion the mushroom growth, the time-server, the opportunist from whose principles we have never yet witnessed any permanent good result—a mode of thought bequeathed as a legacy to our children.

Not being a member of that class which has “heaped up riches and cannot tell who shall gather them,” this line of argument in combating my statements fails utterly. Nor have I the least intention of entering on a newspaper discussion. Under the notice of our mutual friend I would, in conclusion, bring the dictum of a famous medical man: "We travel by different routes to reach the same goal; and each, provided he gets there, is inclined to consider, his own way the best.” It by no means follows, however, that the conclusion thus formed is accurate. —I am, etc., TERMINATOR. February 24.