Germans as Colonists.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 2 April 1910, Page 4

Germans as Colonists.

Tlio policy of Dr Snlf, head of the German Government in Samoa, was sumnietl up in Sydney last week by sv missionary, Rev. J. E. N'ewell, who had just arrived fiom there. "We Jiave suffered no kind of disability," he- said, "from the German annexation. The Government proclaimed that the people would be allowed to go on as they had been accustomed, choosing what religious faith they liked; and it has faithfully kept that pledge. It is difficult to say how German prestige is to be maintained when compared to the enormous British, influence which surrounds it in the South Seas; the Germain 'colonies are very small, and right in the midst of British colonies. But Dr Solf has recognised that fact, and whilst' maintaining German interests ns far as possible, lie has not forgotten the other interests there." Mr Newell gave an instance of the Government's ihonest treatment of the natives:—"When some years ago the volcano burst out on the north coast of Savaii," he said, "and. the natives there lost several of their plantations, and had no longer means of subsistence the Government removed them to tlpolu and gave them two very fine pieces of land, on wihich they have settled."