DISSENSION IN SAMOA.

Shannon News, 1 July 1927, Page 2

DISSENSION IN SAMOA.

The Crux of the Trouble. OBJECTION TcTmEDICAL LEVY. AND THE ADMINISTRATOR’S POWERS. “We have opposed to our veryutmost all harsh measures against the Natives such as the unwarranted enforcement of the ‘Samoan Offenders Ordinance’ and the promulgation of another new law directed against the rights, privileges and liberties of the Natives (and Europeans) styled the ‘Maintenance of Authority in Native Affairs Ordinance, 1927.’ ’’—Extract ■ from the reply by the Elected Members of the Samoan Legislative Council to the Administrator’s message at the opening of the Council’s session.

The disaffection which exists among a number of natives and a section of the white people in Samoa has received considerable prominence lately through the publication of the New Zealand Government’s intention to punish any cases of sedition, and the report of the internment on Apolima of two chiefs who are members of the Welfare League’s committee. Beyond the* statement published that the strict enforcement by ■■■tile Administration of the law prohibiting the importation of liquor has caused trouble, the public, of the Dominion have had little information as to the causes of the trouble. A newspaper called the Samoa Guardian has been established in Apia, evidently as the organ of the discontented party, and its first issue; dated May 26th, contains the objects of the Samoan League, a translation of an address delivered by the Administrator (Sir George Richardson) to the Faipule assembled in Muliiiu’u, and a reply by the committee of the League; also a reply by the elected members 'of the Legislative ■ Council, of Western Samoa to the Administrator’s message to the Council. CONSTITUTION OF THE LEAGUE.

The objects of the League are stated .to be the advancement of Samoa, and to.'present to the Administration and 'the .Government of New Zealand from time to time subjects concerning the Government of Western- Samoa which may be considered by the members of the League essential for the promotion of the peace, order, good government, and the general welfare of the territory'. ' »

In the declaration of the members, their belief is expressed that it is their duty to endeavour to procure by lawful means the alteration of. any matter affect ing the laws, government or constitution of the territory which may be considered" prejudicial to the welfare ana best interests of the people. ADMINISTRATOR’S ADDRESS TO NATIVES. : in bis a'ddres3 to the Faipule in Mu,linu ’u the Administrator told that body that people had been circulating letters urging the natives to declare their dissatisfaction with their leaders (the Faipules) and to appoint others to replace them; and to remove the prohibition of wedding processions with fine mats and to return to the practice as it was in early days—“that custom,”, said the Administrator, “which has impoverished villages and families, wasting many days fruitlessly and causing neglect.of plantations, which grow into bush, and increasing great scarcity of food in some districts. ”

The Committee points out that a large 'number of people are dissatisfied with the executive authqj-ity granted to mem bers of the Faipule in fhe districts. It is desired to return to the original practice of the people to nominate and appoint their own representatives for a fixed period of years. It is a desire to place no restrictions on customs concerning “Fine Mats,’ 5 states the committee, because these customs assist to preserve the dignity* and honour of the country. PUNISHMENT OF WRONGS. Proceeding further in his review of the agitation the Administrator said that the Samoan ohiefs and councillors were urged “to be free to commit misdeeds and wrongs without the infliction of punishment.” The punishment provided under the law was to send those who acted wrongly to their other .relatives, to remain. them until the time when they were forgiven by their villages. The law would positively not be repealed. The Committee states that nothing has been said or done by the Committee to justify the Administrator’s remarks'in this connection. The Committee has petitioned that laws imposing punishment upon offenders without trial before the constituted courts should be repealed.

THE MEPICAL TAX

The disaffected natives objected to paying the medical tax, and the Administrator pointed out the benefits that had been extended to them through, the medical service. The Committee states that the discontent concerning the medical tax did not originate with the The"tax was an experiment for a fixed period. The Administrator’s address under this heading is translated as follows:

“To cease paying Medical Tax. These people are telling the Government this: They do not desire to pay money for the' contribution towards the preservation of Health. It would be better for them to declare themselves in this manner: ‘We object and do not desire to help in maintaining Samoar. lepers now dwelling in Fiji. We do not desire to have any hospitals, nurses, doctors, medicines, and all other things which are necessary for the doctors in Samoa. We do not wish to , bo trained to become Doctors and Nurses. We do not desire our children to drink worm medicine when they are sick with hook worms and also do not by any means inject drugs to destroy yaws. We are 'a strong people with healthy bodies, we have not much desire for medical skill, and our real intentions are that the poor people, old, weak, and those afflicted please themselves and pay for their medicines. We have no at*.

fectiou for others but we regard selfishly ourselves alone.’ ” FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS. Reference was also made by the Administrator to an expression that the natives did not want any monetary assistance from New Zealand for Samoa. The Committee replies,-“No one disregards gifts and kindness from New Zealand. 0 But the people look with "rave eoncern on any financial liability due from them to New Zealand.” MOVEMENTS OF UNEMPLOYED. The objectors are not content with the law forbidding strange people to stop in Apia when they are out, of woik; and they want any people who desire to do so, to come and dwell in Apia. The Committee desires not to restrain Samoans from travelling or dwelling'in any village if there is nu good cause for prohibiting them. “LIKE FOOLISH VIRGINS.”

The Administiator remarked that the objectors acknowledged that there were many lans enacted for their good, or prosperity; yet they did not > desire those laws. They wished to be free and to act according to their desires without any hindrance whatever. He compared, them to the five foolish virgins, who, having failed to fill their lamps with oil, were compelled to walk in darkness.

“If they desire to obtain the light,” said the Administrator, “it is right they should cc-me tc, me and I will show them the light.and they will know the right path they’ should walk upon. QUESTION AND ANSWER. “The Government of New Zealand has asked me: ‘What is the desire of the Committee of Europeans with a few Sanioans who join them?’, I have answered this: It. is now nearly one hundred years since the ■ Maori have been governed by the New Zealand. .Government and the .natives of tliac country are wholly civilised. In a short time the whole of the Polynesian groups in the Pacific Ocean will be under the lule of King Geoige V. and under the British flag with the protection of New Zealand, and the New Zealand Government trust in me to act justly towards Samoa.

“A wireless message has been received here from the Government of New Zealand concerning this matter. "Thin message is that (the above) is the re : ply to those who are trying to cause trouble in’ Samoa.

“You have now heard the reply, therefore stop wasting time that should be eriiployed for your benefit instead of attending to the foolish objects of others. End it. Forget it, attend to good work lo help Samoa advance in ‘Faith,’ ‘Affection,’ and ‘Work.* ” . LAW AND ORDER.

The Committee replies: — “It is well understood that laws for the preservation of peace, good order and the protection of the people are necessary and useful, but no one understands or approves of laws which impose punishments upon Samoans without proper trial in a court of law. At all meetings the Cbmmittee advise strict obedience to all laws, respect to Government and: authority, and to submit peac ffully to all punishments. Exhortationj have been made to the people to bear patiently false accusations and to rely upon their faith in the' truth of justice of all matters which the Committee is striving for in a constitutional manner.” ELECTED MEMBERS’ VIEW.

The Elected Members’ attitude is well summarised in the following extract from their reply to the Administrator’s message:— “It is beeause we have reason to know that practically the whole of the Samoan Natives and this has most undoubtedly been confirmed by demonstration, oppose these measures together with . the Medical Levy, the power of the Administrator to banish Natives from their Native villages and remove their hereditary chiefly titles without trial, tbs usurpation, of all the constitutional functions of the ‘hereditary chiefs and rulers’ by the Government appointees, and the official admission that the ‘Na. tive Council of Faipule’ is a, body of Government officials thereby leaving the Natives totally without representation, that we felt it encumbent on the Elected Members, in the interests of the inhabitants of the Territory as a whole and for the ‘peace, older and good government’ of the Territory to endeavour, with the co-operation of the people themselves, to remove these anomalies and right other outstanding wrongs as well as strive to obtain long-fought-for econopijies; in government service, by direct representation to the New Zealand Government.

“These direct representations to the New Zealand Government have been decided only after all personal and official representations through the properly constituted channels in Samoa have failed.”

The reply is signed by the Hons. 0. F. Nelson,’ A. Williams, and G. E. L. Westbrook, Elected Members of the Legislative Council of Western Samoa.