SAMOA

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1929, Page 5

SAMOA

THE REPORT CRITICISED.

[By Telegraph, Per Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, Mach H.

J. D. Gray, formerly Secretary of External Affairs and Cook Island Departments traverses the report cf the committee on Samoa in a letter to General Richardson. He calls the recommendation to make the Samoan Budget balance without assistance from New Zealand a “new and stark policy” and points out no mandated territory has financed itself, quoting New Guinea and Caroline and other Islands under Japan ns instances and also that Cook Islands have cost New Zealand half a million in the last 25 years. He strongly opposes a reduction of the medical services, on the ground that they have saved Samoans from their two great scourges, yaws and hookworm. They are now increasing, whereas their ultimate survival was doubtful. This is known to international authorities, who have quoted the Samoan Medical Service as a model for any tropical country. Gray considers the committee wrong about Chinese labour and the value of steamer Maui Pomare, while some of the facts about reparation estates are astray. In its comment on the Samoan Public Service, he assorts the head of the New Zealand Public Service takes exception to the very snmr things that are allowed in his own service.