The Guardian Arid Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. Fill DAY, MARCH 14, 1930. THE SAMOAN SITUATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1930, Page 4

The Guardian Arid Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. Fill DAY, MARCH 14, 1930. THE SAMOAN SITUATION.

The firm, but conciliatory attitude "'bidt the New Zealand Government has maintained in its relations with tne disaffected natives in Western Samoa appears now to be likely to be productive of at least partial success. Whfc.le the tiespakiJthes referring to the conference at which the Administrator and the-Minister of Defence, representing the New Zealand Government, met members of the Man are fragmentary, they indicate, considers the Otago Times, that the meeting was attended with results that may be regarded as promising. The Man, it is staled, gave an undertaking that no opposition would he made to the arrest- of men for whom warrants had been issued, and that its members would return to their villages. An earnest of the good faith of the Samoans has tjoon * provided by the fact that fviK) members have escorted some dt) “wanted” men in Apia and surrendered them to the police. Tt may be assumed, from these reports, that the.situation in Western Samoa is considerably easier and that the contumacy of the natives has been overcome, partially at all events. That the Administrator is of this opinion may lie gauged from the fact that Mr Cohlhc has left Apia upon liis return voyage to New Zealand and from the statement that TI.M.S. Dunedin will probably depart for home waters shortly. It is also indicated that the contingent of special military police which is being held in -readiness at Trent ham to proceed to Samoa will not he despatched unless further trouble occurs. Whatever the seventeen points were that formed the subject of discussion between the representatives of the Administration and the Man. it would seem that the informal talk lias

had the effect of clearing away certain unsuiulers/tanding that it nas also paved tile way for imaner conversations i.otween Mr Allen and the Samoan chiels On one point the Samoans have remained obdurate—they are reluctant to break up the Mau Tins organisation undoubtedly has been the agency through which unrest has been fomented in the teu ritory and for this reason has justly been proclaimed to be a seditious body. There is no obvious reason why the Samoans should not be allowed to maintain an organisation on questions that are of concern to them. But it must be an organisation that is loyal to the Administration. . Any organisation that presumes to exercise functions which are the prerogative of the Administration, as the Mau has presumed, cannot possibly lie tolerated. The result of the con fere bee at Apia is perhaps a.s satisfactory as could have been anticipated, and the Administrator may lie congratulated upon having dealt firmly hut tactfully with a difficult situation. It cannot yet be supposed that all -cause for anxiety in regard to the mandated territory has been removed. If, however, the natives can

lie persuaded, as now seems possible, to go about their affairs peaceably, and to disregard the bad advice that may be tendered to them by persons, including politicians, who may be concerned to create mifschief, encouragement will bo afforded to the hope that tue administration of tlia territory may run smoothly and efficiently in future..