SAMOA.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 27 January 1917, Page 5

SAMOA.

(Special Correspondent). WELLINGTON, .Tan. 2d. Mr Massey’s intention to fight hard at the Empire Council "on behalf of New Zealand " —as the cabled summary of his statement runs—against the restoration of .Samoa to Germany after the war is being generally acclaimed here by both politicians and business men. The Imperial Government is not likely to be so supine over the late of the islands as it was thirty odd years ago. when Sir, Robert Stout, instigated by the late Mr John Lund on, in the hope of forestalling the Germans, passed an Annexation Act through the New Zealand Parliament only to have i + vetoed by the authorities at Home, tnfort.unately Sir Robert did not remam office long enough to overcome the inertia at. Downing Street, and when Mr Sodden took up the fight in ISIU Hie difficulties of the position had enormously increased. The system fn Laple control had been practically established, and Germany had begun her plotting and scheming against the Biiiisu influence in Hie Pacific. Nov.p However* the way is open again, and Mr Massey will have the warm goodv. ill of ail political parties in completing the work the two distinguished leaders began