SAMOAN “HOME BREW”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 292, 1 March 1928, Page 15

SAMOAN “HOME BREW”

PROPAGANDIST TALK SCOUTED DEFENCE OF ADMINISTRATOR’S METHODS rE whole of the trouble in Samoa is attributed by Mr. A. S. Cruickshank, former Chief of Police in Samoa, to the intrigue instituted by powerful trading interests. In an interview with the Greymouth “Star,” he defends the Administration, and says the Mau is made up largely of petty chiefs who are thorough scallywags.

GREYMOUTH, To-day. | ! Mr. Cruickshank, S.M., who is on a oliday visit to Greymouth, retired ( ' lg for 43 years, and went out with ice for 43 years, and went out with ie rank of Superintendent. He visited ie Old Country, and while in London ccepted the post of Commissioner in amoa. He commenced duty in Janury. 1922, and during the four years e held the position he reorganised the lamoan police and prison service. "Speaking without bias, personal, nancial or political, I will give the acts relating to the trouble in Samoa,” aid Mr. Cruickshank. “I know personally Messrs. Nelson, >myth and Gurr, and also Messrs. V'estbrook, "Williams and all the other lembers of the Citizens’ Committee, he self-constituted organisations /hose interest, as traders, is to make .•rofits. in contrast to the Administration, the object of which is to ter the affairs of the islands for the benefit of all, and especially in the interests of the natives themselves, who are quite incapable, and will be for years, of carrying out the administra* tion themselves. “Even in its minor branches the trouble in Samoa arises from only two sources, namely, prohibition and copra. “Ever since prohibition was inaugurated, there has been an agitation to restore the licensed bar, and it continues as strongly as ever. "Notwithstanding statements to the contrary, speaking from my knowledge of the natives and half-castes, I am satisfied that the open bar and the sale of intoxicating liquor for personal gain, even with restrictions, is certainly not in the best interests of either the natives or half-castes, nor the European residents. In some cases, owing to the enervating climate, a stimulant under medical direction is necessary, and that system is in force. Some politicians have publicly stated that the administrative officials are violating the law by manufacturing liquor. That is only half the truth. The fact is that a European in such a climate cannot drink much water, and keep healthy. A light beer is brewed, and if not over 3 per cent, alcoholic in strength is allowed by law. Many Europeans, including the administrative officials, make this beverage, which is quite lawful — : in fact, a number of traders manufacture it and sell it to anyone who wishes to buy, including, the natives. "In American Samoa, 70 miles dis- j tant, all copra is collected from the j natives by the American Administration, and sold in the highest market, the proceeds being handed over to the natives, but in Western Samoa the all the natives’ copra, and the price of the copra is practically decided by Nelson and Burns Philp traders. Burns, Philp, and Nelson companies, and a few smaller traders, purchase The Administrator, who has the native interest at heart, intimated that he intended to collect native copra, and market it on behalf of the natives, so that they would get a better price for their copra. “Up to this point all was well. There was no Mau, no agitation and no trouble. "The trouble started after the visit made to New Zealand by Mr. O. F. Nelson, and the Mau was set up. General Richardson’s administration is appreciated by everybody, except some beach-combers, who must find fault with everybody and everything. "No Administrator, including the political critics in New Zealand, could possibly get on with Mr. Nelson upless they carried out his ideas and wishes. I am under no obligation to General Richardson, who is just the same to ■ me as to anyone else. During the years I spent in Samoa I made a special study of the native psychology. Thirty-two native constables under me were all chiefs and I was able to gather information from them as to how the new administrative ideas were taking on among the natives generally. General Richardson does not consider himself at all. He is working wholly and solely in the interests of the natives. No man could have done better than he has done in Samoa”. With regard to the medical, educational, moral and sanitary welfare of the natives, it has been said in New Zealand that there is too much "brass hat” and military domination in Samoa. There is absolutely no such thing, and every Samoan, from the highest to the lowest native, can approach General Richardson for advice and guidance, and has done so.

Much political capital has been made out of the term “banishment," but it is unwarranted. Th© banishment that

has taken place from Samoa is simply in the interests of all concerned, including those who are removed. Chiefs in Samoa are as thick as sparrows. In every other village they have, as it • were, a “chief factory.” Any native who considers himself a grand orator ! and is too lazy to work, has only to kill ; a pig, and give his neighbours a feast, to be made a chief. Then he struts • about like a peacock, and in many cases j domineers over the people. A number of these chiefs are thorough scallywags. They are jealous of the Faipules, who hold official salaried positions, and hold a fono Cor local i native parliament), every six months , with the Administrator. The Samoan , native is like a school boy. For instance, if one boy at a New Zealand school has a top, another would want it. That explains Samoan jealousy. The Mau is really an assemblage of dissatisfied chiefs who are jealous of those in Government positions. “BIG STICK METHODS” A great deal has been made by political critics in New Zealand of what they alleged to be the “big stick methods employed by the Government. Recently half a dozen unarmed police constables were sent to Samoa, and the critics made a terrible noise about such tremendous demonstrations of force. There were only two European police officers in Samoa, and the halfdozen constables brought the force to eight all told. There are about 30 native police, but they cannot wholly be depended upon in a crisis. The population of Samoa is 40,000. Natives number 38,000, and of the remaining 2,000, only five or six hundred are Europeans, the remainder being halfCan any sane man say that eight European police for 40,000 inhabitants, scattered over the two islands of Sa- J moa, is a number in excess of even , ordinary requirements? I think the big stick” has been in the hands of the Mau, which is really a Government in opposition to the administration. General Richardson invited the Mau to discuss their grievances, but they have no real grievances. Samoan natives, collectively, are a fine lovable people, and it is a shame they are to be put in “No Man’s Land” between two opposing forces and made the medium either of economic or political propaganda, which may lead to serious consequences. I consider it most unmanly to make allegations against General Richardson behind his back, because he has no opportunity of replying. Mr. Nelson has many good qualities. He is a friend of mine, and I am quite friendly toward him, but I would like the people of New Zealand to know the truth, and that is my only motive for speaking. If the people of New Zealand knew as much as I do about Samoa and its people, there would probably be less criticism and propaganda from certain quarters, as it would not have a hope of deceiving New Zealanders.