ENFORCING OF POWERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 82, 28 June 1927, Page 8

ENFORCING OF POWERS

Government Backs Samoan Action

Statement by Prime Minister

(THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter.'} WELLINGTON, Monday. The New Zealand Government will have no hesitation in enforcing any necessary powers in the interests of the natives themselves, said the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hdn. J. G. Coates, in a statement on the Samoan situation. The Prime Minister to-night reviewed the causes of dissatisfaction

in the mandated territory. “The. Government has proof that an agitation is being engineered and fostered by a small section or the community whose object is to destroy the confidence of the natives in the New Zealand Government, and in the present administration, and to mislead the native mind,” said Mr. Coates. “The Citizens’ Committee includes three unofficial members of the Legislative Council, who were elected by the European and half-caste population, and three merchants of Apia, and several natives, one a notoriously bad character. The great majority of the natives have not been affected by the work of the committee, nor has it the support of the European population. “Not only is it obvious that the Samoans themselves will ensure that only a chief of the highest rank is nominated to represent them in the Samoan Parliament,” said the Prime Minister, “but under the provisions of the Act no person shall be appointed a Paipule who is not qualified in ac-

cordance with existing Samoan usage and custom to occupy the position of Faipule. How, then, can it be said that the Fono of Faipules is not representative of the people, or that the status ,of the Faipules has been repudiated by certain of the Samoans? No such repudiation has ever been notified to the Government.” A FAIPULE’S VIEWS A description of the Samoan committee might best be given in the words of the Fono of Faipules in December last, when they said: —“One section has been banished by the Government, one section is seeking for themselves Government positions, one section is out to gain something from the plentiful resources of others. We are convinced that these matters originated with white men in Samoa because of their dissatisfaction with the prohibition law and in their desire to interfere in native matters, which they do not understand. There was nothing to tell the Governor-General on his recent visit except our gratitude, and at that time we did not know a single person here who was not quite happy and contented. STIRRING UP DISSATISFACTION “We are sure that the European committee is stirring up some Samoans to express dissatisfaction. This is a new Government, a new thing among us. Our history shows that Europeans stirring up the natives has been a continual hindrance. Our country has at times been divided owing to some of the Europeans in this country trying to take sides with one section of the community. We who have passed through wars and years of struggling know only too well our former sj’stems and their disadvantages. Our country is now at rest with the present system that has taken the place of the former Government of Samoa. “These white men vainly use the names of Malietoa and Tupua. No white man has any say in such matters. We are the representatives of these great clans and do not wish these old feudal matters revived. They are too sacred for foreign interference. The Europeans promise us vaguely the Manuia (power). They have come to this country for their own monetary advantage and they have got their wealth from us. They come here with one suit of clothes. Now we ask can these people be dealt with? Is there no law to punish and stop them—they who to disturb our peaceful country? It is their own wealth they are after and they will despoil us in their attempt. “Regarding their story of harsh administration and tyrannical punishment, it is clear they do not know our history or our earlier Samoan customs or they would know that the present forms of punishment are accepted by us as mild and kindly administered. One thing only is in their minds; that they may increase their wealth at our expense; and yet they are permitted to continue thus.”