IN SAMOA.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1928, Page 1

IN SAMOA.

MAJOR-GENERAL RICHARDSON INTERVIEWED.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, April lfi. Any New Zealand Government officer who goes to Samoa and endeavours fearlessly and courageously to dis charge his task and do his part to carry out the mandate in the interests of the native race, sooner or later becomes the object of censure and mis conception on the part of the small non-native section of flic community in Apia, some of whom live in the [last and yearn lor a return of the good old days when Apia was known as “ The Hell of the .Pacific,” and when the natives were comparatively speaking not progressive hut a diseased and uneared for people. Such was the statement of .Major-General Richardson to a “Star” reporter to-day, wlic-n lie returned on the Tofua from Sydney, having completed a five years’ term as Administrator of the mandated territory of West Samoa.

Sir George stated he would leave New Zealand next week on route for Geneva, where lie will appear before the .Mandales Committee of Hit League of Nations.

“ Please make it quite clear that I could give a very full statement concerning the whole position, hut 1 do not wish to do so until I have seen the Prime Minister of the Government,” added Sir George. Questioned concerning the new Administrator, Colonel Allen, Sir George said in his opinion the right choice of appointment had been made. Colonel Allen was a fine man in every way, and should do well. Of course the troulilcin Samoa has been fully dealt with in the report of the Royal Commission which sat last year. You ask me why the trouble did not come to an end when the Royal Commission was over, and when a report had been given to the world. Some 30ft native chiefs and orators were heard hv the Commission and the evidence was published, f can say that the chief conspirators or loaders of this movement led the natives to believe that the Royal Commission was not the end of the matter. They led the natives to believe that they were going to take the matter further afield.” “ To Geneva.” interjected the interviewer. “ 1 do not say.” returned Sir George, “ hut they led the natives to think that they had a great power and could reverse the decison of the Royal Commission.’’ AUCKLAND, April lfi. Kir George Richardson, in his interview. continued: "Samoa has experienced comparatively a good year, but the copra production was 2000 tons short, due to a lack of effort o-u the part of tin- natives. The market price, of course, was £22 2s fid for the whole year. The average price paid to the natives was £lO Os lid per ton. Til the same period natives in American Samoa received £lB per ton, and this year they are receiving £l9. That is a great lxme of contention and a cause of dissatisfaction on the part of Samoans. who, ever since I went there, have urged me to help them to get the same consideration as their brothers, who live under another (lag.

“1 am disinclined to speak about the liquor question.” said Sir George Richardson. “If I were in New Zealand. f should probably vote against prohibition, hut in Samoa it is the bounden duty of the Government to keep liquor away from natives. Let it be. clearly understood, there never was aiiy desire to change the flag which flics over Samoa that is, no desire on the part of the natives. 1 am sorry there should have been any suggestion concerning the flag and a desire for a change, because that story was invented by conspirators on Apia beach who button-holed tourists, and gave them—well, ‘dope,’ I call it, and that's about the word to describe it.”

Sir George Richardson will confer with Colonel S. S. Allen, his successor, in Waikato, to-morrow, and will report to the Government in Wellington on Wednesday.