The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1928. ENFORCING AUTHORITY.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1928. ENFORCING AUTHORITY.

The occasion for the two New Zealand warships to he hurried to- Samoa, it is now clear, was to enforce law and order. The situation was more or less critical due to the native organisation asserting itself in opposition to the Administration and ordinary methods of trading. Apparently the Administrator made a final effort to -secure peace l »y negotiation, hut the recalcitrants did not respond to the invitation. In addition, the Man representatives continued to parade the streets and enforce their will prohibiting lo nl trading. The local force at the disposal of the Administrator was not equal to maintaining civil rights, being hopelessly outnumbered. It was essential therefore to establish British authority, and that was done by sending the warships with an overwhelming force to impress authority. The Government had its duty in the matter, and when efforts through legitimate channels failed, had no alternative hut to seek the power to enforce its authority. The natives by their acts practically attempted a form of re•>ellion. They ignored the authority set over them, and enforced their own authority by weight of numbers by irregular means. This was going too far, and beyond the ordinary rules of government. In seeking to maintain the legal authority the Administrator is entitled to wield, the Government

did nothing more than was right in safeguarding all interests by constitutional means. There must be authority on the part of those entrusted with the power, and that authority has to he maintained. It is the duty to do so in the interests of law and order which govern the rights and privileges of the public weal. Tu enforcing authority numerous arrests have been made, thus manifesting the power behind the Administrator. The delicate task has been carried out with circumspection. and it is to be hoped will impress the public mind with the true import of the occasion. Ihe next step, or the following steps to bring about a compete statement of the issue, will h c watched with interest. The natives must realise, as all Britisli subjects have to realise, that the.\ mst conform to the laws and regulations constitutionally administered. Their excesses in endeavouring to paralyse the machinery of the administration was a breach of the law. which if persisted in, would be the end of all lawful authority. The natives no doubt were badly advised and led. and the authorities are sure to make allowances in that connection. Pul the supreme power ol Now /calami under the mandate has to be observed, and if the natives are not amenable to reason, dobtless some form of punishment will have to he enforced. At this stage, it is well to give the Government all possible support. for a revolt of the nature simmering at fiatiioa cannot l»o allowed to continue indefinitely To those who are likely to encourage the natives in their persistence, the Government "ill bo expected also to use a restraining hand. There has been overmuch said and allowed to he published along those lines, and to secure a bloodless peace these disposed to inflame the native mind at this juncture with ill considered partisanship. should receive a reminder of the national danger involved. Re may he sure that the Government recognises its full duty in this matter, and from what has gone before, will exercise it with the .single' purpose ot attempting to do the 1 right thing in the' most successful way.