IN SAMOA.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1928, Page 3

IN SAMOA.

[ 13y Telegraph, l’er Press Association.j ALU. HOLLAND EXPLAINS. WESTPORT’, .March 23. After he had seen the Prime .Minister's statement this morning, .Mr Holland (Leader of the Opposition) handed the following to the press:—- “ The Prime Minister’s statement just published and also that ol a couple /of days ago, while llu*y are wholly misleading as to the causes of Samoa ns dissatisfaction with the manner in ~ which their country is being governed 'by New Zealand, and while the facts in connection with more recent developments are only half stated, certainly render a service in clearly establishing the complete falselmld ol the radiogram which the administration permitted to he sent out last week attacking myself, and upon which newspapers supporting the Government base,, equally misleading attacks, aid son had been relieved of the office of Administrator six or eight month; ago the position in Samoa would have been much more satis! actory to-d.i\■ However, I hope with the change ol administrators that an element ol com-mon-sense will he given a chance an t that an endeavour will he made to understand the position from the Samoan viewpoint, hut I am convinced that New Zealand cannot regain the confidence of the Samoans without •’ drastic reversion of the policy which recently has been pursued. The cancellation of all banishment and deportation orders and a decision to honour every promise made the Samoans ... , the ' nauic of New Zealand, together the announcement that there will ho no further punishments without n< r lair trial would go far towards brn.gSW about state of tranquility -Mink it is a good thing that Kieharc son i» leaving Samoa, the sending of him to Geneva to present an ex parte state- * ment to the Mandates Commission ot the League of Nations is a move that will not commend itself.”