SAMOA

Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1929, Page 5

SAMOA

STATEMENT BY SIR J. G. WARD. [hy tkltcor apii— run pukss assoc iation. J WELLINGTON, February L The Prime Minister made the following statement to-day: The Government have considered very carefully, the situation in Western Samoa and they have thought it advisable at this juncture to make a public statement ol their views. 11l the first place, the Government wish to make it plain that they cannot tolerate or negotiate with any movement that is openly subversive of good government in the territory. Samoans must understand that any failure to obey the law will lie punished and that the Government must act rigorously in this direction should future events unhappily render it necessary. Tim Administrator and the New /calami Government are. however, anxious to bring to an end the dissension in the territory and immediately those Samoanf" who are members of the Man have the good sense to cease their attitude of passive resistance and to abandon tlmir refusal to pay taxes, his Excellency the Governor will he prepared to consider any representations in a generous spirit. The Government earnestly trust that wise counsels will prevail, and that al.' wlm have the true interests of Western .Samoa at heart will assist in pointing out to the Man the path of wisdom am.' honour, and the disastrous consequences to Samoa of a continuation of their present attitude.