THE SAMOA JAUNT.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1920, Page 4

THE SAMOA JAUNT.

DEPUTATIONS AND REPLIES

1 IFKU CHESS ASSOCIATION. —OOPYDIOHT."{ ! WELLINGTON, This Day Sir J. Allen said the mandate clearly 1 laid down that the natives must be the first interest of the mandatory power, 1 but, the Minister added, also recognising the duty to the world. He did not believe it- right to let such a fer--1 tile land remain uncultivated. He endorsed the action of the administration in insisting on an improvement of labourers quarters. In answer to complaints of forced repatriation!, he held out no hope of a return of any part of repatriation fees. He considered the scheme of advances to settlers hardly practicable until the labour question was settled, hut he said he had not received final instructions in reference to the mandate, but would do his utmost to hasten the gazetting of the Imperial Order-in-Couneil, to make the mandate clear. It was in- ' tended that Samoa be administered as an integral portion of New Zealand. Discussing the liquor report Sir J. Allen said lie would give a straight uncompromising answer. The National Cabinet had resolved that prohibition was necessary in Samoa, and the decision was endorsed by the Reform Cabinet, and he quoted the mandates injunction against permitting slavery, firearms and liquor. He also emphasised the danger in dealing with the proud and dignified Samoan race, of any suggestion of discrimination in favoui of whites as against natives. Speaking to the report on the constabulary, a member of the committee , said nobody knew what the members jof the force found to do. He also complained' that they were not officially informed of the decision to bring the police from New Zealand. Sir J. Allen said the announcing of the despath of constabulary would haw meant the disclosure of the intention o> the evacuation of the expeditionary force which wa s not. desirable. Gov eminent anticipated that the constatm lary would be welcome as the first definite act marking a reversion to civ<! administration. Ho added —“Though you may not see good reason for semling constabulary to Samoa, the New Zealand Government does see the reason which at the present moment I am not at. liberty to disclose.” The Minister pointed out that the cost of the force was borne by New Zealand. The editor of a newspaper supplemented at length the report, requesting the discontinuance of the censorship. Qu|e<stionedf by Hons Oarncross, Triggs and Geddes, he admitted sending much unedited matter to the censor, thus necessitating the editorship by the censor. Faced with the alternatives of a continuation of the censorship or publication under conditions the New' Zealand press were subject' to under provisions of the Crimes Act as regards sedition, the editor considered the present censorship preferable. Sir J. Allen said he believed in a free press, but not in an unlicensed press. At the Minister’s suggestion, the editor agreed-to edit the matter and then Rend it to the censor. I Reverend Clark questioned as to hi® statement in a published report tint the attempts of Government at education were not encouraging said lie referred to the expense compared with the mission schools. He believed the compulsory system was desirable. The German administration always threatened their efforts in that direction. Sir J. Allen said members recognised the full valuable work done by the missionaries in the Pacific Islands. T- c did not want to interfere, but he thought it possible there was room for some improvements. Ho instanced the Cook Group, where the State had taken over the schools at the request of the London Mission Society. Government expected 'Samoa to hear some cost of educating its children. Sir J. Allen intimated that he had not agreed to an elective Legislative Council, at all events until it was settled who was entitled to the franchise. Questioned on the status of German property, lie said according to the Treaty New Zealand would take over such formerly owned properties as a debt but till the order-in-council was gazetted, he was unable to say what action would ho taken in regard to individual German. planters. The visit of Sir James Allen and party to the London Missionary Society's Training College at Mnlua, for pastors and teachers for Samoa and other Pacific Islands and Papua, was one of the most notable events of the tour. Members were impressed with the splendid intelligence and physical appearance of four hundred young men and women students. Sir J. Allen said he recog- | nised that in their hands lay 'the fu- I ture of Samoa. He wished them con- | tinned success. The members rcgai-d- 1 ed them as a hopeful augury of the future. |