Discord and Unrest in Western Samoa

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 70, 14 June 1927, Page 1

Discord and Unrest in Western Samoa

OPPOSITION PAPER STARTED

CHALLENGE TO ADMINISTRATION

ALL is not well with Samoa, according to passengers who returned by the Tofua this morning. A newspaper—the “Samoan Guardian”—has been started in opposition to the existing - journals. This new paper is printing a supplement in the Samoan language, and in this manner hopes to reach the natives more easily.

present the Hon. W. Nosworthy, Minister of External Affairs, is in Samoa, trying to pour oil on the troubled waters.

Passengers state that he is listening to both sides of the case, but that nothing has been made public yet, and that his task is a difficult one.

The opposition to the Administration is known as the Samoan League. Passengers this morning stated tlias it had the support of a considerable number of the Samoans in and around Apia, but in other parts of the mandated territory the native sympathies are,, with Sir George Richardson. The members of the league, which is led by Europeans, took no part in the King’s Birthday celebrations. They held their own functions quite apart from those of the Government. Members of the league held their own festivities in opposition to those of the Administrator, wore purple ribbons and decorated their cars with purple streamers.

As a result of the unrest, the passengers stated, business is depressed. One passenger states that the people of Fiji are of opinion that General Richardson has advanced too quickly for the people of Samoa.

The league has issued a pamphlet entitled “How New Zealand Administers its Mandate from the League of Nations.”

This pamphlet, among other things, says: “In 1921 the New Zealand Parliament passed an ‘Act to make provision for the government of Western Samoa. . . . But the one glaring, wilful and obvious omission was the total absence of any right for the people of Samoa (native or European) to a voice in the government of the territory, or

a say in the levying*nd spending of the revenue raised from them.” ’ The pamphlet also states that “the socalled Legislative Council of Western Samoa was composed of a majority from the administrative staff of public servants, with others selected from citizens approved of by the GovernorGeneral. There was no provision whatever for the representatives to be elected by either the Europeans or Samoans, who contributed all the revenue.” The pamphlet also finds fault with the appointment of faipules (native chiefs) as provided for in legislation which was made in 1923. It says: “But while the New- Zealand Act of 1923 provided that no faipule should be appointed by the Administrator unless qualified in accordance with the ancient customs and usages, the ancient traditions and practices among the Samoans have not only been Ignored, but have been treated with a contempt and disregard. . . . The Samoans regard these faipules as mere nominees of the Administration, who act without any district or tribal authority.” A leader in the second issue of “The Samoan Guardian” states that the Administrator took all the blame for not allowing a deputation of natives and Europeans to visit New Zealand to place their position before the Eon. W. Nosworthy. It also says: “It is believed to be Tiis intention on this occasion” (the visit of Mr. Nosworthy to Samoa) “to prevent the resolutions of the people being presented to the Minister as desired. He claims that all things must go throftgh the faipule. The obstinacy of the Administrator has increased the desire of the ‘Matais’ to be heard through their own chosen representatives, and not through the nominated faipule of the Administration.”