TUB SAMOAN TRIP

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1920, Page 3

TUB SAMOAN TRIP

SIR JAMES ALLEN EXPLAINS.

Regarding tlie protests made against the Parliamentary trip to Samoa, Sir James Allen made the following statement at 'Wellington : ,“An attempt is being made in certain quarters to lead the ,publie to believe that the proposed Parliamentary visit to tlie Pacific Islands is not only unnecessary, but is more or less in the nature of a pleasure jaunt. Hie Government wishes to dissent in the strongest possible way from this view, and to assure tlie public that it-deems it of the first importance that members of the General Assembly' should be given an opportunity to personally visit the Islands and investigate for themselves the local conditions and requirements before being asked to soive some very difficult problems next session.

“The Government is quite aware of tlie present shortage of coal and shipping, and has fully considered that aspect of affairs before deciding to fulfil the promise given to members last session when tlie future of Samoa was under discussion. If is absurd to suggest that the ordinary trade services will provide the facilities or the opportunities that members should have if they are to thoroughly investigate the Island conditions and requirements. It is doubtful if the ordinary trade steamer could accommodate the number of members who propose to make the visit, without serious dislocation

of normal passenger traffic. In addition there are Islands which it is necessary New Zealand legislators should visit, as they are under the Dominion’s control and administration, and arc so isolated as to be quite off the usual trade routes. There is one problem alone —that of indentured Labour —which, in itself, would justify the expense of the visit. The future progress of development -of land settlement, and trade of Western Samoa. depends on the solution of the labour problem. There can be no question as to that fact. “The Government does not. think there will he many people, who, having regard to the history of the last five years, and predictions as to the future, will dispute the statement that the control of Samoa is a vital necessity to New Zealand.

‘ Apart altogether from the necessity that New Zealand should undertake the task of governing Samoa, I think that it will be admitted that we are best qualified for the work by reason of our experience of an important section of the Polynesian race, but if we are to fulfil our trust to the League of Nations and to justify the confidence that- is shown by administering Samoa on wise, just, and progressive ‘ lines, and in the.interests of both natives and Europeans, it is necessary that our legislators should themselves have an opportunity of visiting the Islands and mixing freely with the inhabitants in order to get at the truth. ' “ The Government has no hesitation in saying that the proposed Parliamentary trip is necessary and justified. It is glad to know that nearly sixty legislators have intimated their intention of making tlie trip, and that this number includes four representatives of the official Labour Party and three Independent Labour Members, and it is satisfied that the result of their visit will do much to ensure peace and good government for Samoa. Tlie Govern-' meat is aware that tlie visit is being looked forward to with the keenest interest by both the .European and native inhabitants of tlie Cook and Samoan groups, and that this visit will afford an- opportunity to members to acquire useful information that could not possibly be obtained in any other way.

“ There is another matter which is of great importance to New Zealand, namely, the development of trade between tlie Dominion and these Pacific Islands. It is beyond dispute that a large volume of lucrative trade which formerly came to the Dominion has been diverted, particularly to the IVest Coast of America. “In response to a direct request from the Government of Fiji, as well as representations which have been made by business pteople of the Dominion, the Government has agreed to the appointment of a joint New Zealand and Fijian Trade Commission, which js to proceed to the Islands and report on all matters affecting trade and industry between the Dominion and the several groups, and to suggest means by* which this trade should be fostered and developed. The itinerary of the Parliamentary party lias been fixed to afford maximum facilities to these trade commissioners to carry out the work and at the same time to give as large a number of legislators as possible an opportunity of also studying this very important question ,aml hy bringing the matter directly under their notice in this way to interest them in it.

a comprehensive series of films of native life, industries, customs, and ceremonies, and also of Island industries and scenes, and Ris proposed to exhibit tlipsu Inter on throughout the Dominion in order to enlighten the darkness which unfortunately prevails to a great extent in New Zealand on all questions affecting the Pacific Islands. Frop\ aR points of view, in fact, tlig Government w satisfied that, the decision to make the trip ,notwithstanding certain circumstances which exist in the Do. minion at the moment, will 'heartily commend itself to tho vast majority, of the neople of New Zealand. oTho idea that the trip is a pleasure jaunt may be dismissed at once, when it is explained that three-quarters of the period during which the party „\YiU L« absent from the Dominion will bo spent at sea. The Government sincerely hopes that the members who make the trip will find it a pleasant and enjoyable one, but it is also satisfied that they will find it a most instructive one.”