MR HOLLAND’S ADVICE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 311, 23 March 1928, Page 9

MR HOLLAND’S ADVICE

"Give Common Sense a Chance’

REGAINING SAMOANS’ CONFIDENCE

Press Association. WESTPORT, To-day. WHILE the Prime Minister’s statement just published, and also that of a couple of day’s ago, are wholly misleading- as to the causes of the Samoans’ dissatisfaction with the manner in which their country is beinggoverned by New Zealand, and while the facts in connection with the more recent developments are only half-stated, they certainly render service in clearly establishing the complete falsehood of the radiograph which the Administration permitted to be sent out last week attacking- myself, and upon which newspapers supporting- the Government based equally misleading attacks.”

A FTER he had seen the Prime Minister’s statement this morning, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland, handed this message to the Press: “If Sir George Richardson had been relieved of hife office as Administrator six or eight months ago the position in Samoa would have been much more satisfactory to-day. However, I hope that with the change of Administrators, an element of common-sense will be given a chance, and that an endeavour will be made to understand the position from the Samoan viewpoint. “I am convinced that New Zealand

, cannot regain the confidence of the Samoans without a drastic reversion of the policy which recently has been pursued, the cancellation of all banishment and deportation orders, and a decision to honour every promise made to Samoans in the name of New Zealand, together with an announcement that there will be no further punishments without a fair trial, would go far toward bringing about a state of tranquillity. “While it is a good thing that General Richardson is leaving Samoa, sending him to Geneva to present a statement to the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations is a move that will not commend itself.”