Our Captured Islands.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1920, Page 4

Our Captured Islands.

SAMOA DELEGATION. (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.! WELLINGTON, September 2. A delegation which has come from merchants and traders in Samoa to represent. their grievances to the New Zealand Government was received by Mr Massey and the Minister of External; Affairs to-day. Tho chief request was for representation on the Legislative Council which now comprises four official and three non-official members, latter nominated by the Government. The Legislation L asked to provide that, non-official members shall he elected by popular vote, and thus he free of influence by the administration. Extravagant administration was alleged, including an attempt to establish an agricultural school, the opening of new leper and quarantine stations', and a harbour master’s residence at Savaii. Three new roads were built in the vicinity of Apia and never used. Replying to the Ministers the deputation said that the matters mentioned were not brought under the notice of Sir James Allen. The deputation expressed its willingness to drop the complaints of wastefulness if a better system were inaugurated. Regarding the Government Hotel at Apia, taken over after Prohibition was carried, it was asserted that the loss was £IOO per week. Mr Gray Undersecretary of -External Affairs, said his information was that the hotel was paying its way. The deputation said that it was now propsed to expend £6OO in extending the hotel, which was unnecessary when private people were willing to provide accommodation. The latest proposal was to open a Government store, again interferinrr with private enterprise. Mr Gray said that the store was to be primarily an issue store for the Government. The deputation said that the Rhinoceros Beetle was increasing owing to the lack of supervision, and copra deteriorated from the same cause. As regards the “Samoan Times,” proofs of what was going in the paper were always sent to the Administrator before the paper was published. There had been sufficient influence to result in certain tilings failing to appear. Shares were held (by the' Government officials and it whs natural that the policy of the paper should be influenced. Mr Massey said that the political representation sought would probably come in time. Respecting the paper question, he .crave an assurance that tlie Government had nothing to do with it, had no financial interest in the paper, and had not been responsible for certain of the officials taking advantage of what appeared a good proposition. Tlie Minister of External Affairs said that the organisation in Samoa was under one of the Government’s most competent officials, who could be trusted not to use more men than were required. The work of administration was much greater than formerly. The profits from trade with Samoa, would be used for development work. Mr Gray said the stores were established to meet the neds of administration. It was not tho object- of the Government to go in for private trading.