GREATER NEW ZEALAND.

Taihape Daily Times, 13 February 1919, Page 4

GREATER NEW ZEALAND.

When discussing New Zealand’s mandatory over Samoa recently, we ventured the opinion that it would be a very comprehensive one, amounting to a virtual ownership. Now, Mr. Massey, who prefaces his remarks by stating that it is impossible to publish details, tells us that possession means, practically, annexation, and if Mr Massey is not in error from over-eagerness, Samoa may be henceforth considered New Zealand territory. The New Zealand Government is to control the island as though it was an integral part of the Dominion, whose laws and administration will be applicable to Samoa exactly as in New Zealand; and, if •at any time the people of the island desire to be absorbed in the Dominion. its union with New Zealand will be agreed to by the 'League of Nations. In the meantime, New Zealand undertakes to prevent abuses in connection with arms, slavery and the liquor traffic, and to furnish an annual report to the League of Nations on its administration. Enemy interference is rendered impossible by an absolute closing of the “open door ’ ’ as regards trade and immigration. Mr. Massey says it is impossible for him to give details of the mandatory, but there can be little else this country wants to know excepting, perhaps, that 't hak beten accepted by the Council of the Powers. After that Samoa becomes a part of New Zealand, and, we presume, will be entitled to some representation in the New Zealand Parliament. In this democratic age government without a voice is considered unthinkable, therefore we shall probably have, an opportunity of reading what the Honourable Member for Samoa has to say in future issues of hansard reports. The area of the Samoan group is 2,650 square miles, and the- total population is about sixty thousand, and it is not to be expected that a population of such a number will do. be governed without representation in the legislature which makes the laws whereby they are to bo governed. Therefore, with representation in the New Zealand Parliament it is difficult do see what advantage can arise from a perfunctory control by the League of Nations. New Zealand is not likely to countenance any abuses objected to by the Council of the Powers with respect to arms, slavery, or alcohol, nor is it probable that there will bo any effort to twist the destiny of the islands out of channels chosen by their residents, who must bo regarded as best able to judge with respect to the future. Then, we may confidently look forward to the day when the Samoans will express their desire to the League of Nations to become fin integral part of Now Zealand, and so the “no annexation” proposal of President Wilson will be defeated, and another electoral district will be permanently added to those already contemplated over which the coming general election is proposed ?o be take.n