LABOUR AND SAMOA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 886, 1 February 1930, Page 1

LABOUR AND SAMOA

MR. HOLLAND DISCUSSES PROBLEMS NECESSARY CHANGES Press Association GREYMOUTH, Today. bast evening Mr. H. E. Holland, deader of the Labour Party, addressed a largely-attended meeting at the Miners’ Hall, Runganga, when he made a comprehensive review of Samoan history, detailing the events leading up to the affair of December He advocated the abandonment of coercive methods and the initiation iof a policy of conciliation that would have the fullest measure of justice for its basis. To tills end they should ■extend to the Samoans an effective share in the country’s Government. •It was regrettable that the measure jot elective representation promised ihe natives by Sir James Parr on behalf of the Reform Government had never been conceded. He explained the political system of Tonga and suggested that a similar system would find favour with the .Samoanß. The method of banishment, (deprivation of titles, deportation and other punishments without trial should he abandoned and the Samoans given an assurance that in future no penalises would be exacted without trial as fair and as Impartial as would be accorded any accused person in New Zealand. Furthermore the existing deportation orders should be cancelled for it was quite apparent that there could be no satisfaction or lasting settlement while they remained in force. There would be a comprehensive overhaul of the Samoan civil service from top to bottom with the replacement of unsuitable officials by men possessing knowledge of the psychology of the Samoan race, their historical conditions and tribal customs. He advocated the organisation of the marketing of copra on lines somewhat similar to the system employed in Eastern Samoa, and also urged the application of more scientific methods in the production of copra and suggested that an industrial and scientific research department might be of great assistance in this direction. It was quite clear that New Zealand could not hope to administer its mandate unless extremely radical ihanges were made in our policy and the changes most necessary were those that would place the well-being of the Samoaa people above every other consideration. Mr. Holland was thanked for his address and a motion was carried condemning the use of armed force on December 2S and since, and endorsing the Labour Party’s policy as outlined.