Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1918. PEACE AND SAMOA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1776, 15 January 1918, Page 2

Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1918. PEACE AND SAMOA.

REFERRING to the British Prime Minister’s speed), which, by the way, lias been translated into German, ready for distribution amon" the enemy on the Western front by our airmen, Mr Massey, iirtouchiiig upon the war, in (he course of a speech Sit Hie Soulhbridge Horticultural Society’s Show on Thursday, Si)id; “Most of ns agree with the spirit of the speech, and are in thorough accord with I lie principles laid down, even it we do not agree with all the details.” -A lot laid been heard about peace proposals from men who ought to have know)) better. There were some who suggested thiil Germany should be allowed freedom of the seas and be permitted to carry on unrestricted commerce wit!) the British Empire, it would never do to allow that. (A voice: No!), it had also bpen suggested thiil the inhabitants of occupied territories should be allowed by means of a plebiscite to say which.nation they should be ruled by in the future. New Zealand,was most concerned'about Samoa, which had been the headquarters of the German fleet in the Pacific. “We don’t want them back again,” said Air Massey, emphatically. “I would be prepared to trust the natives of Samoa to say which flag they would live under provided there was no Genuan gold or German influence to affect their decision. Gobbis a great power amongst the natives. It is not a fair question to ask a native race whether they would prefer to be under German or British rule. The natives of Samoa are not the only people concerned in this matter. Why should we not have a say with regard to : the future government of Samoa? I hope this point will not. be overlooked when peace proposals are entered upon,”