SAMOAN TROUBLE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 131, 2 March 1928, Page 8

SAMOAN TROUBLE

REPLY TO POLITICAL CRITICISM HIGH TRIBUTE PAID TO ADMINISTRATOR WHAT TERM “BANISHMENT” MEANS Political criticism levelled at the Government in regard to its administration of Samoa has brought forth a reply from the ex-Coinniissioner of Police and pensions at Samoa, Mr. Cruiclo shank, who is on a holiday visit to Grevmoutli. Speaking, as he says, ’“without bias, prsonal, financial, or political,” he makes an analysis of the causes lead. Ing up to the trouble there, and deprecates the suggestion of military domination in Samoa. He defends the Administrator, and states that no man could have done more for the welfare of the natives. BY TELEGRAIH.—PBESS ASSOCIATION Greymouth, March 1. In an interview granted to the “Star” to-day, Mr. Crnickshank, exCommissioner of Police and Prisons at Samoa, made an interesting statement concerning the crisis there. Mr. Cruickshank is'on a holiday visit to Greymouth. He retired from the police force in 1920, after serving forty-three years, and went out with the rank of superintendent. He visited the Old Country, and while in London accepted the post of Commissioner in Samoa. Mr, Crnickshank commenced duty in Samoa in January, 1922. He has since then reorganised the Samoan police and prison service. . "Speaking without bias, personal, financial, or political, I will give the facts relating to the trouble in Samoa,” said Mr. Crnickshank “I know personally Messrs. Nelson, Smythe, and Gurr, also Messrs. Westbrook, Williams, and all the other members of the Citizens’ Committee, a selfconstituted organisation whose interest as traders is to make profits, in contrast to the Administration, the object of which is to administer the affairs of the islands for the benefit of all, and especially in the interests of the natives themselves, who are quite incapable, and will be so for years, to earry out the administration themselves, even in the minor branches. Source of Trouble. “The trouble in Samoa arises from only two sources, namely, prohibition and copra. liver since prohibition was inaugurated there has been an agitation to restore the licensed bar, and it continues as strongly as ever, notwithstanding statements to the contrary. Speaking from my knowledge of the natives and half-castes, I am satisfied that the open bar and the sale of intoxicating liquor for personal gam, even with restrictions, is certainly not in the best interests of either the natives or half-castes, nor the European residents. In some cases, owing to the enervating climate, stimulant under medical direction is necessary. That system is in force. “Some politicians have publicly stated that the Administrative officials are violating the law bv manufacturing liquor. ‘ That is only a half-truth, lhe fact is that a European in such a climate cannot drink much water and keep healths’. A light beer is brewed, and if hot over 3 per cent, alcoholic strength is allowed by law. Many Europeans, including Administrative officials, make this beverage, winch is quite lawful. In fact, a number of traders manufacture and sell it to anyone who wishes to buy it, including natives. Sale of Copra. ’ “In American Samoa, seventy miles distant, all copra is collected from the natives by the American Administration and ‘sold in the highest market, lhe proceeds being handed over to the natives; but in Western Samoa the Burns-Philp and Nelson Companies and a few smaller traders purchase all the natives’ copra. The price of copra is practicallv decided hv Nelson and Burns-Philp traders. The Administrator, who has the native interest at heart, intimated that he intended to collect native copra and market it on behalf of the natives, so that they would get a better price for their copra. Up to this point all was well. There was no Mau, no agitation, and no trouble. “The trouble started after a visit made to New Zealand by Mr. O. 1-. Nelson, and the Mau was set up. General Richardson’s Administration was appreciated by everybody except some 'beach combers,’ who must find fault with everybody and everything. No Administrator, including the political critics in New Zealand, could possibly get on with Mr. Nelson unless thev carried out his ideas and wishes. “I am under no obligation to General Richardson, who is just the same to me as anyone else. During the years I spent in Samoa I made a special study of the natives’ psychology. Thirtytwo native constables under me were all chiefs, and I was able to gather information from them as to how the new administrative ideas were taking on among the natives generally. General Richardson does not consider himself at all. He is working wholly.and solelv in the interests of the natives. No man could have done better than he has done in Samoa with regard to the medical, educational, moral. and sanitary welfare of the natives. “It has been said in New Zealand that there is too much ‘brass hat' and military domination in Samoa. There is absolutely no such thing, and every Samoan, from the highest to the lowest native, can approach General Richardson far advice and guidance, and has done so. “Much political capital has been made of the term ‘banishment,’ but it is unwarranted. In Samoa banishment means thisA chief or native of lesser rank often leaves his own village and goes to stay at another. His conduct, moral and otherwise, becomes obnoxious and the villagers complain to the polenn (the native responsible for the conduct of the village). If he considers the complaint justified he sends it on to the faipule (native member of Pai Hament), who requests the Administrator to have the offendin'! native removed. Inquiries are then made bv Departmental officers. If thev recard the complaint as well founded, and consider that there likelv tn be a serious disturbance in the village, tTie Administrator issues an order for tile native to ’eave the village ami return to his own Tn some cases a ‘scallvwag’ chief becomes obnoxious in his own village, and a request is made for his removal If the Administrator is satisfied that the chief’s continued residence in the village is likelv to lead tc trouble, and perhaps bloodshed, the chief is ordered to co to some distant vill ige, and remain there for a stated period generally six months or a vea r - That is the procedure, and that is what has been called banishment. The banishment that has t.-ken place is simply in the interests trf all

concerned, including those who are removed “Chiefs Thick as Sparrows.” “Chiefs in Samoa are as thick as sparrows. In every other village they have, as it were, a ‘chief factory.’ Any native who considers himself a grand orator, and is too lazv to work, has only to kill a pig and ‘give his neighbours a feast to be made a chief. Then he struts about like a peacock, and in manv cases domineers over the people. A number of these chiefs are thorough ‘scallvwags.’ They are jealous of the Faipules, who hold official salaried positions, and hold a Fono (or local native Parliament) every six months, with the Administrator. “The Samoan native is like a schoolboy. For instance, if one boy at a New Zealand school has a top, another would want it. That explains the Samoan jealousy. The Mau is really an assemblage of dissatisfied chiefs, who are jealous of those in Government positions. “A great deal has been made by political critics in New Zealand of what thev have alleged to be ‘big stick’ methods employed by the Government. Recently half a dozen unarmed police constables were sent to Samoa, and the critics made a terrible noise about such tremendous demonstrations of force. There were only two European police officers in Samoa, and lhe halfdozen constables brought the force to eight all told. There are about thirty native police, but they cannot wholly be depended upon in a crisis. The population of Samoa is 40.000. Ihe natives number 38,000. Of the remaining 2000, only 500 or 600 are Europeans, the remainder being half castes. Can anv sane man snv that eight European police for 40,000 inhabitants, scattered over the two islands of Samoa, is a number in excess of even ordinary requirements? I think the ‘big stick’ lias been in lhe hands of the. Mau, which is really a Government in opposition to the Administration. “General Richardson invited the Mau to discuss their grievances, but thev have no real grievances. The Samoan natives collectively are a fine, lovable people, and it is a shame that thev are to be put in ‘No Man’s Land.’ between two opposing forces, and made the medium either of economic or political propaganda, which may lead to serious consequences. 1 consider it most unmanlv to make allegations against General Richardson behind his back, because he hag no opportunity of replying. “Mr. Nelson has many good qualities. He is a friend of mine, and I am quite friendly towards him, but I would like the people of New Zealand to know the truth, and that is my only motive for speaking. If the people of New Zealand knew as much as I do about Samoa and its people, there would probably be less criticism and propaganda from certain quarters, as it would not have a hope of deceiving New Zealanders.” MEMBERS OF MAU POLICE SENTENCED (Special to Press Association—Per Radio.) Apia, February 29. Four hundred illegal native police of the Samoan League were convicted oi intimidating the other natives dealing with European storekeepers. . They were sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. The cruisers are sb’ll at Apia. Troops are patrolling the town. There are no physical disturbances. QUESTION IN HOUSE OF COMMONS London, February 29. In the House of Commons the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. W. < Bridgeman, in answer to a question, said that the cruisers Dunedin an;: Diomede were in the New Zealand di vision of the Roval Navy, maintained bv the New Zealand Government, which was entitled to send them to Samoa.- - A.P.A. and “Sun.”