SAMOA

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1928, Page 3

SAMOA

PROBLEMS STILL UNSETTLED

AIR HOLLAND'S ACTION CONDEMNED.

AUCKLAND, Nov. 27

“If the New Zealand public and politicians would leave Samoa alone for a. while the whole situation there would •ett'le itself.” 'This is the advice of Mr A. R. Alexander, who returned ~ml by the Tofua after spending Die last three years in Western Samoa. Mr Alexander lias been attached to both the Education Department and the Public Works Department at Ap a, •uni has seen a good deal of the recent rouble.

Referring to the political speeches

uade by Air If. E. Holland. Leader of he Opposition, before the election. Mr Alexander said that lie was simply talking a lot of nonsense about- Samoa. His statefent. that the present Administrator, Lieut.-Colonel Allen, was controlling the Mandated Territory better than General Richardson was equally nonsensical and only aggravated the situation. If the public of New Zealand and its politicians would leave Samoa alone for a while the natives otild settle down. ‘‘Your newspapers all go to Samoa.” -luitinued Mr Alexander. “The natives read wlmt has been said and written * uid that makes them stubborn. When they see the Administrator criticised, •t only gives them more courage. Tt bowed a mean spirit on Mr Holland’s uart to discuss the situation as he •lid.” .Mr Alexander nays the New Zealand oblic seems to I hint-: that t hi' staff if (la' Administrator and public servants in Apia have an easy time. That was not so. One needed to lie up igaim-t tlm problems confronting (he dticial.s in Samoa to realise the diffiult.ies th(' Adm.instrafion hud to face, moment the problems were by no means Although Samoa was very quiet; at the -elided. The Man was still adopting ■in attitude of passive resistance. No •axes were being paid. The natives icre not being asked for taxes, alt hough they wore expected lo pay them. The new Administrator was doing very well and getting to know the people ,iml the chu'fs.

Mr Alexander was in charge of the Technical Se!io;d in Apia, for some tilin', but because of the recent trouble tlm •school had been discontinued. After that dm became building suiieriidi'iidenl lor the Public Works Department;.