THE SAMOA JAUNT

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1920, Page 1

THE SAMOA JAUNT

MR HOLLAND’S ACTION UPHELD. (Per Press'- Association.) WELLINGTON, March 23 The Wellington Democratic Party passed a resolution to-night congratulating Mr H. lE. Holland, as iopresea. tativo of the Labour Party, on his to j good taste in pressing for inquiries into tho position/ of Indian workers in Fiji. The meeting considered the leading members of tho visiting Parliamentary Party failed to get first hand know ledge of tho situation. Tho whole cost of the trip had been absolutely wasted and that an attempt to stop inquiries was only another ezamplo of the iniquity of the present Government in the matter of keeping the pooplo of New Zaland in ignorance of affairs outside tho Dominion. FINAL PROCEEDINGS. (Wireless'from Mokoia on Thursday Evening.) WELLINGTON, This Day. At dinner this evening, Sir James Allen paid a generous tribnto to Cap-

tain McLean referring to the courtesy and skilful seamanship of the master and officers, in the difficult waters. He presented Captain McLean with an 10- ; scribed case of pipes, pouch and letter ,of thanks and appreciation, signed by j all the party. Sir J. Allen also presented Bairl, the chief steward, with a signed letter thanking him, and liis staff for their splendid services. Mr Sidey, on behalf of members presented gir J. Allen with a momenio of the mission: He congratulated him on his able leadership of the party and also on liis appointment to the High Commissionership. Hon. Oarncross eloquently supplemented the remarks, tracing Sir J. Allen’s successful career from the date of his sensational entry into Parliament thirty years ago, expressing regret that a strong man was leaving New Zealand at a time when strong men were needed.

Sir J. Allen replying was greeted with prolonged applause. He said ’>o was grateful to the whole party for the assistance given tlirougout the trip. He was sorry to think this was probably the last time he would see all together. He had had a busy time during the thirty years, especially the last six. He always felt that members of Parliament could not possibly j realize the situation in the Pacific w.itli- ! out coming themselves to see the Islands . and study their problems. “Whatever the cost of the trip in money, whatever the value of the gift of your time, I think you will agree with me, it is small compared with the lessons learned. Some of you may think we were ' wrong in aeepting the mandate for | Samoa. I remind you we cannot live :in isolation. The acceptance of responsibilities opens up for us great possibilities of usefulness to the Empire and to the world. I am sure you will ! face the duties with a steady determination without sacrificing the interests of the native peoples. After your kind expressions to-night I feel that probably I should remain and help sett’e these problems, but the- strain of last year has been great. It is very diffi - cult- for me to carry on long. A complete change of environment is necessary. For this reason I accepted the position of. High Commissioner, and hope in that office I may be of some service to New Zealand and the Em-

pire.” > In a final reference to tile problems of the islands Sir J. Allen spiritedly declared—“We are Britishers and as 8.-i tishers have a capacity and will power to meet those difficulties.” (Cheers). 'Sir J. Allen concluded with thanics to everyone for the great kindness and consideration during the trip and expressed the belief that the fiionlships made would last as long as political association continued and would not be broken over by political diffidences. (Applause and cheers).

MOKOIA ARRIVES. AUCKLAND, This Day. The s.s. Alokoiu, with the Parliamentary Party, arrived early this morning, all well, after a veiy pleas ant trip. Twenty southern members leave bv "the mid-day train, and the others "to-night. Sir James Allen leaves to-night for Whangarei, Kamo and Dnrgaville, and returns to Auckland on Monday, Rotorua on Tuesday, and Wellington on Thursday.