The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12, 1930. THE SAMOAN SITUATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11128, 12 February 1930, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12, 1930. THE SAMOAN SITUATION.

It Is surprising that a section of the press of this Dominion—including several keen supporters of the present Government —continues to do-

nounco the policy laid down to ensure the maintenance of law and order in Western Samoa. The most extraordinary viewpoint of all is, perhaps, voiced by the evening journal at Invercargill, which, up till now, has praised the Ward Administration slavishly. “It (the riot) was, ’ it says, “perhaps an unfortunate affair, but- the action of the police in endeavouring to arrest the ‘wanted’ men was evidently responsible for the attitude adopted by the Man procession. Was it absolutely necessary that these offenders against law and order should lx l seized while the demonstration was being carried out? The answer must be ‘No’ unless wo are to contend that the liberty of the Samoans consists of only that which the discretion of the police concedes.” That such a viewpoint is

hold by any responsible organ of public opinion is almost incredible. What is intended to he conveyed is. of course, that a riot would not have occurred if the police had neglected their plain duty, lint what would

10 reljollious Mau adherents have

thought if the police had not taken stops to apprehend the “wanted” Natives? Nobody ran forecast what form Alan defiance of the authorities would next have assumed. The plain undisputed fact is that the Mau leaders were warned that if they paraded the “wanted” men steps would he taken to make arrests. In the face of the warning they allowed “wanted” Natives to join in

the. procession. But that was not a]l. When the police intervened, efforts wore made to prevent an arrest taking place and the leaders did not object to resistance being shown until after a melee had begun. The only logical conclusion that can be reached is that the Mau leaders failed to appreciate the fact that such a small body of police would not waver, in the face even of a large gathering of Natives, in its determination . to do its duty. If the Mau had been permitted defiantly and openly to flout the law, what value would have boon placed by the Natives as a whole nil any further instruction issued by the authorities? How far one may mislead oneself by adopting a foolish viewpoint on the matter may bo judged by reference to hint one other claihi put forward by the Southland Liberal journal : “At this, juncture, and with the realisation that our people have not cut a noble figure in Samoa.” it says, “we should not be persuading ourselves that the administration of the law was wise); rather shojffd the resolution he made to aprMjiach the native if not as a brother, lift least as if a human being”! The Natives of Western Safnoa, it should hardly need he stressed, are far from unsophisticated. Where they have fallen into error, however, is in supposing that; if they maintain a rebellious spirit, the mandate will be quashed. The inference that the authorities are. not treating the Samoans oven as human beings, is deplorable and will be resented by all who stand for tile handling of the situa-tion-in .fl manner worthy, of the highest British- traditions in respect of-theuplifting of Native -races.