SAMOAN PROBLEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1929, Page 8

SAMOAN PROBLEMS

EX-MINISTERS ADVICE. ABOLISH DEPORTATION POLICY. WELLINGTON, Jan. 25. Sir -Maui Pomare, who as a member of the Reform Government was for many years Minister in charge ol the Cook islands, is keenly watching developments in Samoa, and lie is hoping that tiie new Government will adopt a fresh policy with a view to ending difficulties.

“It would not lie a sign of weakness” remarked Sir Maui Pomare, to a representative of the “ Lyttelton Times.” “if the Government said to the Samoans “Let’s bury the hatchet and make a fresh start.” This takes a strong man to do, and the Samoans would realise that, because they know the Government must be victorious ny means of arms or otherwise.”

TA X A TIO X WITM OUT REPRESENTATION.

A good deal of the Samoan trouble, explained Sir Maui, was caused through criticism by native sympathisers of the financial methods ol the Administration and the taxation of natives without direct representation. The principal always recognised m British countries lias been denied Samoans. “They have a pseudo Councill,” remarked Sir Maui, “but this Fono of Faipules lias no authority however. We find in Samoa a system of government unparalleled in any British country, where the public servant is also a master, because he is appointed to the legislature. Our public servants in New Zealand have to resign heiore they can even contest a seat tor Parliament. These official nominees have no stake m Samoa, but the native, who is a permanent resident and the taxpayer, is denied representation on this Council.” FEWER WHITE OFFICIALS. It was suggested by Sir Maui Pomare that the Government could gradually bring about a great improvement in the attitude of the Samoans to the administration, and also lessen the heavy financial burden on New Zealand by training Samoans to take positions in the public service. This is the policy he adopted in the administration ol the Cook Group, with the result that six European officials are all who are needed to control the group with its population of 12,000.

■ “ I think it will help to remove the Samoan difficulty,” said Sii Maui, the Government decided to make a prompt effort to reduce the top-hcav> system of control, getting nd of t k military element as fast as possible, and train Samoans to assist in governing their country'. New Zealand adopted’this plan i" the Cook Group, "heie we had to start do novo with our education. Samoa is more advanced in that respect. We gradually trained Cook Islanders to take up jwsitioK, and when we introduced the modern development, radio communication, w C trained native boys Zealand to run the plants, witu t suit that only one Emopcnn lien 1 needed. Natives are running the »ne less stations with credit to th.n.»i™ at a quarter of the cost of a l.njopean staff, and they are happy because they are at homo Some I medical work’ will also be done ,» tin same way ill the near future have Cook Islanders bon« tianwd a the Rockfeller Institute, Imji, a tlnec vea, course enabling them to beernne efficient assistant mcd.ca office- S moa is not a country for Luiopean Z never will be, therefore it >s wise to utilise the Samoan for the ment of his own country.

“ Perhaps » • rolynoman myself 1 mnv err on the side ol generosity, • ic- M.mi “ but lam hoping continued Sir Maui, that New Zealand, l«> »' association with tm inp record m us .. Maori, will reconsider its Samo;u.P"hcy of deportation, the rtonud.us of native chiefs of their heredity title, and the failure to grant real representation to the Samoan taxpayer J cannot progress without pl '\ U '. which means taxation, and t »s s uM iscd by the Samoans. Let s harmoniously with them extend the franchise to Samoans and let us n.| out the past.”