The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET AUCKLAND Thursday, February 20, 1930 “WAR” IN SAMOA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 902, 20 February 1930, Page 10

The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET AUCKLAND Thursday, February 20, 1930 “WAR” IN SAMOA

MEITHER time nor the talk of representative men is doing' much to solve the acute problem of New Zealand mandatory control in "W estern Samoa. As the days pass, leaving hitter memories behind them, the trouble between the Administration an d the disaffected natives, becomes steadily worse, Avhile official declarations and political comment thereon merely tend to aggravate a position already serious and lamentable. In the m idst of all the hubbub and provocative foolishness on both sides, there is no outstanding evidence as to there being made eleven contemplated any masterly or statesmanlike effort at healing raw wounds, securing a tolerable reconciliation, and making an end to a system of administrative rule which threatens to become a travesty of the original purpose of the Allied Supreme Council at Versailles in 1919, and a mockery of this Dominion’s honest pledge and intention to promote the welfare of a simple native race. M hesc may seem and sound harsh words, hut something must he said or done soon to end or at least mend a notorious situation in the mandated territory. Today, a state of disciplinary “war” prevails in Western Samoa. A naval force from the New Zealand Squadron is on guard and virtually is in possession of the disturbed islands. In addition a company of special police has attempted to impress upon the recalcitrant natives the forcefulness of authority. Nothing more need be said about the ruthless manner in which the constabulary attempted to do its dutv, and the terrible results of its dutiful performance, although reference should he made in the plainest terms to the reported fatal shooting of a defenceless Samoan lad. Tt is difficult to believe that any European policeman, however zealous or excited, could be guilty of such a reprehensible act as that related in the dying depositions of an unfortunate victim, only sixteen years of age. There can be no excuse for shooting a boy like a cornered rabbit. The authorities, no doubt, will probe the shocking story to its kernel of truth and make certain that nothing of a similar kind can ever happen again. As far as the disciplinary policy of the Administration is concerned, every New Zealander with ability to think clearly and give consideration to all the circumstances and extraordinary difficulties of control will agree at once that it is the duty of the authorities to maintain law and order. But it is also their plain duty to consider whether the necessity of maintaining law and order calls for or justifies the practice of militaristic force, as though sullen and woefully misguided natives were a desperate and an armed enemy, competent and equipped for efficient aggression. So far, most of the Mau’s resistance has been passive, much more irritating than menacing. And yet a suggestion has been made that force alone will appeal to the Mau, and the sort of force which would involve starvation. This policy has been attributed to Commodore Geoffrey Blake, of H.M.S. Dunedin, and the nature of his alleged statement to a newspaper representative has brought forth sharp political censure from the Leader of the Labour Party. With characteristic candour Mr. Holland has declared that Commodore Blake not only had exceeded his duty, hut “had been guilty of impertinence and such a breach of discipline as called for a reprimand.” It is the privilege of politicians to speak plainly on occasions, and many people Avill be disposed to support the Labour Leader. But it is at least fair to note that Commodore Blake, if “guilty of impertinence,” merely took a navy officer’s view of a baffling situation. Seven or eight thousand disaffected natives have taken to the hush in Samoa in order to evade a round-up, and obviously a policy of persuasion would fail to draw- them. Still, it must he conceded that the commander of the naval forces at Samoa should have preserved the traditions of the “silent Navy.” The Prime Minister lias announced that the statement attributed to Commodore Blake was made without the Government’s knowledge, and apparently was an expression of the Commodore’s own opinion. Hitherto, it has been a good rule in the Navy that responsible officers should keep their opinions on policy to themselves. But the whole sorry business of administration in Samoa has been marked with indiscretions.