The Sun 42 Wyndham Street. Auckland. N.Z. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1927. SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT SAMOA.

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 148, 13 September 1927, Page 10

The Sun 42 Wyndham Street. Auckland. N.Z. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1927. SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT SAMOA.

THE decision of the Hon. O. F. Nelson, leading representative of Samoan complainants against the New Zealand Government’s administration of the mandated territory, to avert the threatened boyeott of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, recalls the comic jingle of a music-hall ditty that used to make London laugh in the simple times before high taxation and low polities. With a little misquotation it fits a capricious mood: “First he said he wouldn’t; next he said he couldn’t; an|d then he said perhaps he might.’,’ After t all, it is the privilege of aggrieved persons to say “I will” and “I won’t” by way of nursing their wrath to keep it warm.

In' every way Mr. Nelson’s latest intention is commendable. Apart from the merit of its wisdom, it incidentally shows that a man’s own judgment is sometimes wiser than that of his advisers. From our point of view we are glad to learn that Mr. •Nelson did not favour a boyeott of the Commission and had no thought of either retreating from his front place in the Samoan crusade for a thorough investigation of grievances and the causes of discontent or forsaking those who had looked to him for prudent guidance. Things look different to-dajr from what they seemed on Saturday, and the improved difference is all to Mr. Nelson’s credit. His decision to pursue the voyaging cdmibission post-haste and make arrangements for a frank presentation of evidence personally and by other responsible complainants is a striking instance of belated discretion saving a cause from becoming discredited. It is difficult to understand why any one of the Samoan complainants or their legal advisers should now indulge in provocative gibes such as “taking the risk of molestation |by the Administrator,” “making the best of the restricted order of reference,” and an assertion that “they must fight their case against great odds and unequal terms.” There is really no justification for that sort of talk, and to persist with it means the exercise of unpardonable foolishness. The Judicial Commission admittedly is above suspicion and can be relied upon with complete faith to discharge its trust without bias to any party or interest concerned in the Samoan trouble. As for the suggestion that the Administrator might molest Mr. Nelson by refusing him permission to land on his native soil is an extravagant absurdity. ' Real or imaginary stupidities of political administration may now be left to the Judical Commissioners’ attention. It is the duty of the complainants to make the most of their opportunity to place their grievances before the impartial tribunal. If it be shown subsequently that the Government or the Administrator have tried to burk a full investigation of all the sources of unrest, their case will be discredited, and their policy assailed. The real cause for satisfaction is the chance to make an end to friction and any administrative nonsense that may exist. “GIVE US INDUSTRIES!” IN view of the introduction in the House of Representatives this afternoon of the Government’s new tariff proposals, particular interest attaches to the statement made yesterday bv the Hon. H. E. Pratten, Commonwealth Minister of Trade and Customs, on the development of industry in Australia; for what may apply to Australia in industrial matters may largely apply to New Zealand. Mr. Pratten is returning to Australia after a protracted visit to England and America, and as he has for many years been intimately associated with trade and manufacturing, his views are to be studiously regarded. There should be marked satisfaction in this part of the world with Mr. Pratten’s statement that British manufacturers appreciate the fact that, owing to Australia’s isolation, protection is a sound national policy for the Commonwealth; for if isolation-makes it a necessity, protection >is even more neefcssary for New Zealand. The great growth of manufacturing under suitable tariff encouragement in Australia has frequently been stressed by The Sun as an adequate argument for a fuller measure of protection for this country, and this argument is strengthened by Mr. Pratten’s success in advocating “the migration of industry’’ among British manufacturers. Backed by the wall of the Commonwealth Tariff, Mr. Pratten found attentive. English ears, and as one of the immediate results of his tour he expects an additional £5,000,000 of British capital to be invested in Australia in industrial enterprise. One firm is sending representatives to the Commonwealth to launch a project which jvill involve the expenditure of £1,000,000 on a factory alone. As the Minister pointed out, the migration of British people will naturally accompany the migration of British industry, and that is the best and surest way by which these isalated British countries can keep clear of the racial problems which are so marked in other lands. “The co-operation of British capital, British people, and British brains, will be welcomed by us, for they are materially needed,” adds Mr. Pratten. The builders of the Commonwealth Tariff built wisely. Though British goods have obtained preference, they have yet such dirty on them as. enables Australian goods to compete. Britisli manufacturers could not profitably push their products over the wall, so in many cases they decided to manufacture them within the wall. Millions of pounds of their capita] have been invested in establishing factories within the Commonwealth, and millions more are to be so utilised, with the result that the secondary industries of our sister Dominion have made amazing growth—and this is but the beginning. There is herein depicted a plain lesson for New Zealand, and all eyes will be on the schedule proposed by the Government to see if any benefits are likely to be derived from this lesson.