THE ROLE OF CRITIC

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1930, Page 8

THE ROLE OF CRITIC

(“Christchurch Times”)

There has never been any occasion to doubt the sincerity of the leader of the Labour Party in his criticism of Samoan affairs. Mr Holland has, apparently, taken a real and consistent interest in the group and its people, and it must be admitted that, when there were signs of trouble there four years ago, he proved himself to be well informed as to the problems and the possibilities. And there can be no doubt that Mr Hollands interest in Samoan affairs is still very keen, but there has come into his perpetual criticism of everything official a new note that is more than a little wearisome

For one thing, he seems to regard it as a duty to reply at length to any official statement made, and the replies are not so much criticisms as condemnations. The critic appears to be in danger of becoming only a scold. Apparently nothing that has been done has been right, arid the things that were not “a criminal blunder” were “farcical.’ Surely,' if only in keeping with the law of averages those whose duty it is to administer the group, and who have had sufficient time to

study the problems on the spot, would do the right thing sometimes. The standing of a critic must be weakened if he does not grant that others may be animated by the same high purpose and sense of responsibility as he himself claims Probably most people will place is much reliance on the reports of the Administrator as Mr Holland appears to place upon the report of a chance visitor to Western Samoa. There is no denying the fact that those entrusted with the administration off the law and the enforcement of justice in the group have a. difficult task before them, and while there may be honest differences of opinion as to the policy of the Dominion with regard to the administration of the mandate, no good service can be done by bitter criticism of those whose duty it is to put that policy into effect And, in this particular instance, we doubt whether the making of charges of “an outstanding blunder,” or “a. criminal blunder,” or the decrying of decisions as “farcical” or “stupidly proclaimed” really helps to the solution of the problems already sufficiently involved