POSITION OF SAMOA

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1927, Page 4

POSITION OF SAMOA

DIVERGENT VIEWS. AUCKLAND, Aug. 8, There were divided opinions among the pa.s-i ngers on the Tofua to-day tegarding the position in Samoa. Perhaps the most enlightening remark was made by passenger, who said that General Richardson had given everyone too iiiiiili rope, and was now finding it difficult to “pull back” again. Colonel ,1. AY. Hutch,'ell. V'.M.G,. Secretary to the Administration of Samoa, who is coining to New Zealand on furlough, stated that there was no obvious sign of any unrest. Mrs Stnythe. wife of Air A. (L Smytlie, a member of the Citizens’ Committee, said thiti trouble was brewing. Chiefs were being handcuffed and forced to leave their villages, and people resented jbe -military dictatorship which

was in evidence. Air R. M. Watson, who was the first Chief Justice of Samoa, and who had returned after an absence of seven years, said that he

.-aw no signs of unrest or demonstration. Others of the passengers gave

equally diverse views. Colonel llutehen said that lie did not wish to say anything. The whole question could he left to the Alinistcr, the Hon W. Nos worthy, and the Citizens’ (■ jiimmloo of Samoa. This committee liiul gene over the heads of the Administration. He did not think the I rouble would last any length of time. Every country bail a ‘‘billions attack” every now and then. Samoa was having one at the moment. There had been similar disturbances and trouble during the time tlio Germans occupied Samoa.

Air Watson, who is well acquainted with conditions in Samoa, said that lie saw nothing unusual. Tlio whole of the territory had improved so far as lie could .see. and the natives wore very much hotter in health. The town of Apia was a much better town than it was seven years ago.

One passenger who lias spent some time in Samot said that the so-called trouble was merely political. Tn private life the members of the opposing parties wore quite good friends.