MINISTER SATISFIED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 924, 18 March 1930, Page 1

MINISTER SATISFIED

“END OF SERIOUS TROUBLE,” SAYS HON. J. G. COBBE POSITION IN SAMOA “I am satisfied with the position in Samoa. Conditions have improved very much. The Administrator has radioed me to that effect since I sailed on March 7.” The Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Defence, made the above statement this morning on the Tofua on his return from a visit to the Mandated Territory of Western Samoa. He was accompanied by Mrs. Cobbe and Mr. F. G. Matthews, his private secretary. “During my visit the Mau met the Administrator and myself and since then the wanted men have given themselves up. The members of the Mau have also dispersed and have gone back to their villages. “Personally, I think it is the end 1 of any serious trouble in Samoa. There may be small disturbances before a complete agreement is reached, but I do not anticipate anything serious.” Asked what he though of the Samoans, Mr. Cobbe described them as ‘kindly people, but easily misled.” OFFICIAL REPORT On his return to Wellington tomorrow Mr. Cobbe will make an official report to Cabinet. Until then he does not desire to say anything more about the situation A Samoa. During his short stay there the Minister visited the reparations plantation in the mandated territory. He stated that the coconut plantations were doing well and that the cultivation of cocoa was developing splendidly. Bananas were also productive. Samoa, he thought was a country with wonderful prospects. It was particularly fertile and with a good rainfall. Since the trouble with the Mau, business had been very bad, but it was now improving. Mr. Cobbe left Auckland on February 11, to confer with the Administrator, Mr. S. S. Allen, on questions concerning the Mau. Today he will confer with the Prime Minister at Rotorua by telephone and will leave for Wellington tomorrow morning by the Daylight Limited.