PARLIAMENTARY TOUR.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 March 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY TOUR.

DEPUTATIONS AT APIA. By Telesraph—Press Asm.—Copyright. Received March 6, 1.15 a.m. Rarotonga, March 5. The JMokoia arrived at Apia early on the morning of the 4th, in delightful weather. The remains of the wreck of the Adler, reminiscent of the Calliope's performance, were seen. A glimpse was obtained from the Mekoia on the bush covered hill, behind the town, of Stevenson's Vailima, now the residence of the Administrator. . The members got ashore sharply in canoes rowed by as many as thirty-six oarsmen. They received a warm welcome from a large gathering of Europeans ftnd Samioans. The party was received by General Sir A, Robin, and an address was presented by Maleatoa and Tuiinalcafana, native advisers to the Administrator. At a European gathering, ex-Judge Robers cordially welcomed the visitors. In the afternoon the members fathered with the Native Parliament in the beautiful fono housefand after an impressive ceremony of kava drinking, a lengthy petition was presented, containing many requests. Sir James Allen, in the course'of his reply, referring to a suggestion in the petition that in the event of dissatisfaction with the Administration Samoans would reque-it direct control by the Colonial Office, said it was more difficult to make representations to the Colonial Office than to the easily accessible Parliament of New Zealand. Sir James Allen promised to bring the proposals for two Samoan seats in the New Zealand Parliament before Mr. Massey. In regard to a request that the salaries of the native advisers to the Administrator should be increased to £SOO, and European residences provided, Sir James Allen pointed out tlu'.t the salaries had been recently increased, and he was of opinion that the Samoan houses were preferable. The question of indentured labor was not raised.

ARRIVAL AT SAMOA, By Telegraph.—Press Association. Welling'-n, March 5. The Mokoia arrived at Pago Pago (American Samoa) on Thursday. This was the first harbor visited since leaving Wellington, and at the invitation of Governor Terhune the party had a day ashore there. There was a full programme of entertainment and generous facilities were given for inquiries to our experts. There was a reception at the naval station with a salute of 17 guns. The party inspected the Native school and hospital. The medical authorities are justly proud that they succeeded in completely excluding the influenza from the islandThe party were present at the opening of tenders for season's copra output sold by the Government on Native account. Seven cents per lb. constituted the record. There was, a lunch at Government House, and in the afternoon the visitors met officers and ladies of the naval community, and witnessed some Samoan dancing. The party was much impressed with the deep water harbor and the picturesque, well-ordered <naval station.

Some Americans, who were guests at dinner on board the Mokoia, showed much interest in the cinema pictures of New Zealand Rheep stations and Alpine scenery,. Mr. Lee was warmly congratulated on his promotion to' the Ministry. Apia will be reached to-dav. ; "