Misunderstanding

NZ Truth, Issue 1262, 6 February 1930, Page 6

Misunderstanding

TO the outside world it must appear extraordinary that New Zealand, which is considered the only country in ' the world that has happily solved its own native problem, should be unable to administer Somoa. In view of the historj^ of the Pakeha — Maori association,, it was reasonable to assume that New Zealand would be a model Mandatory of Samoa. Realisation has fallen far short of this expectation. Last week "Truth" made some revelations on Samoa which indicate that the ' deplorable incidents on December 28 constituted the climax to years of and dissatisfaction. The history of the maladministration of . Samoa by New Zealand* makes sorry reading. Robert VLouis Stevenson placed on record opinions of the Samoans which picture them as anything" but bloodthirsty revolutionaries, and ethnologists agree thati the natives he understood, so well are, of a peaceful type, amenable to reasonable and just treatment. Sir Joseph Carruther.s, a former Premier of New South Wales, and a levei-headed man -"with a conservative outlook, condemned the system of Samoan administration after personal investigation, and before the beach at Apia was stained with blood during Christmas week. It cannot be seriously suggested that all the "wishes of the Samoans should be conceded. Such a policy would not be m their own interests alone, apart from other considerations. But that' a change of policy is needed is overwhelmingly apparent. ' A few months ago Sir Apiraria Ngata, m the course of an eloquent speech m Parliament, \ advocated a better understanding of the Samoan as an essential to a.satisfactory^administration.' This is the keynote 43 Z Che situation. The first step necessary towards lasting" peace m New Zealand Samoa (assuming that the League of Nations does not consider the Dominion unworthy longer to hoid the Mandate — not an improbable prospect) ..is a change m the outlook. The psychology of the Samoan should be studied and. the whole system of administration remodelled as a resiuit of such study. A Royal Commission, composed of ethnologists and other experts m native mattes, could be set up to investigate the whole question, and resolve order out of chaos. The stains upon* New Zealand's Samoan escutcheon are the resiilt chiefly of blunder.? due to ignorance rather than intention, and until there lis a complete understanding of the I native make-up, sd long will there be disaffection m a land "where nature intended peace and beauty to reign.