NATIVES IN UGLY MOOD

Hokitika Guardian, 6 October 1927, Page 4

NATIVES IN UGLY MOOD

MR J. J. DOUG ALL’S OBSERVATIONS. AUCKLAND, Oct. 4. “There is no doubt that the Hon. Air Nelson is the uncrowned king of Samoa.” This remark was made by both Air J. J. Dougall, the Christchurch solicitor and ex-May or of Christchurch, and Air B. Falek, president of the Canterbury Automobile Asocisntioii, who returned by the Tofua to-day.

“The altitude of the Natives is one of passive resistance. They refuse to work,” said Air Dougall. “It seemed to me that as far as the Natives are concerned the Government lias ceased to function. A member of the Citizens’ Committee admitted to me that the Natives are out of hand. The G unmittee looked to Air Nelson to control them when he returned.

•It is impossible to carry on under the conditions at present existing in Samoa,” continued Air Dougall. “One of the parties will have to go. It will be months before the Natives get back to normal.

‘‘The situation is' more difficult than New Zealand thinks,” was another of Air Dougall’s comments. “Personally, 1 think the Administration has been too paternal and too lenient. It lias done everything possible for the Natives.” There must be a strong Government before the Natives can be brought back to normal, he thought.

When the Tofua arrived at Apia, the Natives must have thought that Air Nelson was on board as they bad gathered in large numbers. All of them adopted a sullen attitude, and many wore in their war paint, but by next day the Natives bad returned to their villages. There was no demonstration when the Commission sat. AVlien Air Dougall left there was talk of keeping the Commission in Samoa for three months. “I bad a talk with Air Nelson and with Air Smyth.’’ said Air j Dougall. “and they were both exceedingly confident of the result of the | Commission. Personally, T thought that thev wore over-confident.

Despite the present outlook in Sn moa. Air Dougall found a great im provement since lie was last there, hot! on the waterfront, and on the plan tations. Rubber is now a paying pro position and also the oocoanut. Grea credit, lie says, is due to the Admin is trator. Sir George Richardson. Sani tarv conditions in the native village: have improved, and fresh water is nov laid on to them all. The comfort o Lite natives has been cared for, parti cularly from a medical point of view bin the Natives are in an ugly m :od For months they have refused to Tirnn in anv rhinoceros beetles.

ATr Falek made the same observa lions as .Mr Dougall. Tie said that oi the day the Tofua arrived many canoe: came from the outlying islands, am that on the day Afr Nelson was due t( return to Samoa an assembly of fron 10,000 to 12,000 Natives was cxpect-ec to welcome him.