SAMOA

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 305, 12 September 1929, Page 4

SAMOA

ONE of the finest speeches delivered so far this session in the House was that of Sir Apirana Ngata, Minister of Native Affairs, during the debate on the New Zealand Administration in Samoa. That there should be friction is a matter for general regret. There is no wish or desire to oppress the Samoans. Sir Apirana has placed the problem in a new light and in an understanding of the Samoan mind not possessed by the New Zealander. To the debate he contributed a suggestion for the solution. Sir Apirana said that before any Polynesian was asked to go down to Samoa the white men of New Zealand would have to determine whether it was wise to enforce laws and regulations that were in the circumstances unreasonable—he would not say unjust, but unreasonable because they were badly timed, upon the Samoans, who were not ready to receive them. The Samoans got themselves off side by not actually receiving these ordinances and regulations, and so in the eyes of the law they became lawbreakers. Having got into that position, this country -was asking them before anything else was done for them to get on side and to recognise and admit that they had broken the law. The Polynesian might argue that technically he had broken the law, because in his opinion the law was too hasty, unreasonable and beyond his capacity to observe. Would it not be better for the parent in New Zealand to consider whether it should not make a concession in regard to the legal position ? “ That seems to be the trouble now in my humble opinion,” said Sir Apirana. “If a formula could be devised—and this is a matter for the diplomatist, or possibly for the gentleman educated at Geneva—that would save the face of the Government here in New Zealand and save the face of the very high-born,, very obstinate chiefs in Samoa, it might end the trouble.