STIRRING UP TROUBLE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 398, 5 July 1928, Page 13

STIRRING UP TROUBLE

“SOLDIER SHOULD NOT RULE SAMOANS” ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE Press Association WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The Address-in-Reply debate was commenced in the Legislative Council this afternoon. Sir Robert Stout justified the action of the Government in Samoa, and condemned statements made in Samoa against the interests of the natives with the object of creating disaffection. He trusted the investigations of the Royal Commission and the Hon. W. Nosworthy would be a lesson to those who sought to stir up trouble in the Islands. The Hon. G. Witty supported Sir Robert Stout’s remarks about Samoa, and said no military man should be placed over such people as Samoans, who required to be governed with tact. He congratulated the Government on the surplus for the past year, which was in contrast with deficits in Australia. Touching on unemployment, Mr. Witty said he had seen far worse conditions than existed to-day. If men had more grit they would be able to find work, but they must go out of the towns. The man who said he would sooner starve than accept reduced wages should be allowed to starve. Mr. J. R. Sinclair commended the growing movement for industrial conferences. The recent industrial conference could be productive of nothing but good. The debate was adjourned, and the Council rose at 4.35 p.m., until 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.