Discontent in Samoa

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 83, 29 June 1927, Page 10

Discontent in Samoa

Island Passport System

Legislative Councillor’s Protest

PART of whatever trouble exists in Samoa seems attributable to regulations imposed by the Administration, which restricts freedom of movement between the islands of the group. There appears to be little doubt that some of the regulations are resented.

TN illustration of the administration’s methods, a passport recently issued to Mr. G. E. L. Westbrook, a Samoan Legislative Councillor, is quoted. It shows how travel -within the islands of the Samoan group is hedged about by red-tape and regulations. To cross from one island to another, distant about as far as Rangitoto is from Auckland, Mr. Westbrook had to fill in the following document: —- Administration of Western Samoa. Travelling Permit. Permission is hereby given, to the person hereinafter described, to leave the territory of Western Samoa and proceed to Savaii per motor.boat on ... . day of May, 1927. Description of Applicant.—Full name: George Egerton Leigh Westbrook, M.L.C. Nationality: British. Where born: London, England. Occupation (at date of permit): Merchant. Age: 60. ‘ Height: Five feet five inches. Weight: 1601 b. Colour of eyes: Grey-green. Complexion: Fair. Colour of hair: Grey. Sex: Male. Dated at Apia this 18th day of May, 1927. (Signed) A. BRAISBY. For Administrator of Samoa. Signature of Applicant. G. E. L. Westbrook. On the back of the passport is the endorsement, “Applicant recommended,” signed by the commissioner of police. WITHIN THE TERRITORY And all this was for a 10-mile motor-boat trip. The applicant for the passport did not even have to leave the territory of Western Samoa. He could travel all round Upolo (nearly 100 miles) without interference, but to cross 10 miles of water had to observe formalities reminiscent of war-time, and this in spite of 35 years’ residence in Samoa, and record of integrity as an elected member of the Legislative Council.

How the Administrator. Sir George Richardson, regards the Citizens’ Committee, is shown iu this extract from a letter he wrote: “No reply or explanation can alter the fact that the Government is in possession of documentary and other, evidence that disloyal, seditious and untruthful statements had been freely circulated by agents of the so-called ‘Citizens’ Committee.’ ” Among the members of the Citizens’ Committee, to which the strictures of the comimssioner have been applied, are the tnree elected members of the Samoan Legislative Council. Mr. Westbrook, who is one of them, has long been prominent in Samoan affairs. A RESIDENT’S REGRETS In a recent letter to a friend in Auckland he expressed regret that New Zealand control, so heartily welcomed when the New Zealand troops landed on August 29, 1914, had since the war proved so unpalatable to the residents. Senior elected member among the Samoan Legislative Councillors is the Hon. O. F. Nelson, head of the big trading concern of O. F. Nelson, Ltd., and a prominent sportsman. Mr. Nelson has been a straightforward critic of the administration, and in a fortnight will land in Auckland, on his way to Wellington, where he intends to make representations to the Government concerning the alleged maladministration. It is perhaps true that part of the discontented section is agitating in selfish interests, but independent students of Samoan affairs will find it hard to believe the story that such men as Messrs. . Nelson and Westbrook, in associating themselves with the Citizens’ Committee, are actuated by discreditable motives. Whatever the judgment passed, no New Zealander can but regret the development of such pronounced disaffection in a territory which is the first responsibility incurred through recognition of New Zealand among the nations of the world.