SAMOA BLUNDERS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1929, Page 5

SAMOA BLUNDERS

MILITARY RULE FAILS. REV.GOLDIE'S EXPOSURE. By Telegraph, Per Press Association.] HAMILTON, June 18. Replying, to questions regarding thedifficulties of the Now Zealand Government in Samoa, Rev. J. F. Goldie for 27 yerfrs a missionary in the Solomon Islands, and now a member of lie Advisory Council of the High Commissioner of the Western Pacific, said the troubles bad not diminished since the deportation of Hon. Mr Nelson. Whilst declaring lie had no sympathy with those who were opposing the administration, Rev. Goldie said the! Government should freely admit the errors of the past, and should call' a lound-table conlerencc with the Samoan leaders and start afresh with a clean slate. He said ‘General Richardson was high-minded and actuated by the purest motives, hut it was a mistake to appoint a military man as administrator. The agitation in Samoa was not due to the influence of Europeans or on behalf of European residents. Right or wrong, natives had a deep-seated sense of injustice. There would be no less of prestige in a frank confession of error on the part of the administration. . Rev. Goldie asserted present troubles coulcl never be ended by force.