THE LAST COURSE.

Evening Star, Issue 19797, 22 February 1928, Page 4

THE LAST COURSE.

Differences of opinion provoked amongst onlookers by the developments in Samoa arc at least as sharp as those between the Administration and the Man. Air Nelson speaks of the despatch of warships as if it were a dangerously provocative action. Air Gurr, who was deported with him, or after him, thinks that the natives will be more amused by it than anything else. There has been previous testimony to that attitude of the natives towards Government “ precautions.” It does not suggest an experience of past stern repression, so far as they are concerned. A correspondent in Apia forwards the opinion, held by many Europeans and loyal natives, that the mistake of the Administration had been in showing too much leniency to what may ho described as passive revolt. Another resident of Apia, whose letter wo publish to-day, thinks that the proper course is for the Administrator to recognise the Mau, meet its spokesmen, and “see if he cannot arrange a settlement by giving a little.” Apparently some attempt has been marie on the Administration’s part, since this letter was written, to bring about a conference, and it is hoped that if the meeting takes place the situation will be eased. The correspondent last quoted by us discusses the ethics and the expediency of the deportations of Europeans in n wholly logical manner, hut the discussion is, or should be, in part, beside the point. Air Contes has insisted that tho deportations were not a punishment, but “ a preventive measure to facilitate the good government of the territory.” They have not operated in that manner yet. it is early times, ’however, still for judging of their effect.

It has boon reserved for Mr Holland, Lender of the Opposition, to take up an attitude on the whole question which is likely to have the smallest number of followers. Mr Holland declares that the more he has studied the report of the .Royal Commission which visited Samoa the more he is convinced that it is “a worthless exposition of the situation there.” That is surely the most reckless of accusations. If the Commission’s report, made after full inquiry bv the most disinterested and the most competent of tribunals, does pot give correct knowledge of the position in Samoa, wo are at a loss to know How such knowledge is to he obtained, Mr. Holland’s remedy for the position certainly is the last that will be thought of. It is that New Zealand

should restore the banished natives m Samoa, as well as the deported Europeans, to their homes, recall Sir George Richardson at the earliest moment, and return its mandate for the territory to the League of Nations. We should cry “ failure,” and beg to be relieved of a trust on the exemplary execution of which, up to a quite recent stage, this country has repeatedly been complimented by the League, And the League would then, presumably, hand the Samoans over to some other mandatory nation—quite conceivably back to Germany, 'since the Germans have been bemoaning their lack of colonies, Germany is now a member ot the League of Nations, and there are British' people who believe that she should bo assisted in her desire to rank once again as a colonising Rower. It the Samoans could rule themselves, and would bo allowed to do so, there would be a case for the abandonment of the mandate; it would have fulfilled its purpose. But even Mr Holland does not claim that the Samoans can rule themselves. They are no longer isolated as they were when the keels of Europeans first touched their shores, and they cannot bo left alono. Mr Holland’s remedy, which would shame us as a nation, can produce no other feeling but one of recoil.