THE PARLIAMENTARY TOUR.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 March 1920, Page 3

THE PARLIAMENTARY TOUR.

yiSIT TO THE ISLANDS. EVIPRESSIOXS OF MEMBERS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, March 19. A wireless from the Mokoia says that the Parliamentary Party has now completed its tour of the territories under New Zealand control. Interviewed by a United Press Association representative, Mr. Sidey, senior member of the Liberal Party on board, giving a personal, not a party view, said there was ample justification for the trip, It was an earnest to the League of Nations of our desire to understand Samoan conditions and faithfully discharge our obligations under our mandate. He thought it a question" whether we acted wisely in taking over the administration when we were dependent on borrowed money to develop our own New Zealand resources. It was clear from Ministerial utterances that the islands would to some extent be a burden on the" New Zealand taxpayer. Referring to indentured labor, he said that no doubt the ultimate provision of the 5000 laborers asked for would enormously increase trade and ensure that the islands would be self-supporting. There were not more than sufficient Samoans to-day to jWork their own lands. The consensus of opinion was 'that the Europeans were capable of only light manual labor, but despite this 110 was unable to give unqualified support to indentured' labor. Liberalism as 'i*te of its cardinal factors took into consideration not only the material aspect, but the human factor- The influx of male Chinese and their inevitable cohabitation with Samoan women meant the fostering of a half-bred race whose sympathies would be less with us than were those of the purebred Polvnesians. He expressed the opinion that every effort should be made to obtain the services of married men, remunerating the wife for light employment, the term of indenture to he five years instead of three to for the additional expense nf i '- nTI - 3 port. The indenture scheme should'be regarded as temporary' in character. The problems of the island' were dovbtles's bound up with the land questing. He i.vas inclined to think we miiht learn something from Tonca. where titles had practically been indivirinnlised. The Tongan constitution nrohibitwl Ibe employment of Chinese TTRiiunl inbor. TTe thought the Otago Medical School miclit give special attention to tropic,il disease;, the Government assisting in the research, TTe favored the repatriation of the r|nrnii>v iinw in Snmoa and added that investigation should bo made with the view of the adoption of more scientific mof-bnds of destroying the rhinoceros beetle. HON. W. C. F. CARNCROSS. The Hon -W. C. F. Carncross said that, speaking broadly, he regretted it had fallen to New Zealand to govern Samoa. However, the die had been cast, and it is now every politician's duty to put party aside and loyally aid the Ciovcrn- , ment in the difficult task of administer- ! ing the islands. There were many problems which would test the statesmanship ! rff our New Zealand administration. Mr. Carnaross continued that he was firmly of opinion that there must bo indentured labor, plenty of it, and as quickly as possible, otherwise Samoa would quickly go back to a state of jungle, and years of labor and thousands of pounds of capital would have been expended in vain. The education problem presented difficulties. In all the Native schools the education for many yearn had been semi-religious. If religious education was abandoned and Mew Zealand's purely secular system substituted it would shock the feelings of the Natives, yet to give religious teching in New Zealand would be anomolous and probably create future difficulties in New Zealand. - This question called for serious consideration. * ■- In appointing administrators the greatest tact and judgment was called for. It was absolutely necessary must be men of the highest moral character if they were- to maintain the reject of the Natives and uphold the white man's prestige. Referring to Samoa, he said he believed Colonel Tate had high ideals and was doing well,, endeavoring to administer justice to the 'white and brown people, who were easily led in the right paths when once assured of absolute justice, but Were a bit suspicious aiul easily led in wrong paths by designing men. MR. YEITCH'S OPINION. Mr. Veitcli, on behalf of Independent Labor, said: "I am satisfied that in the administration of New Zealand's island territories, wherein almost the entire population are simple untutored Natives, our chief concern should be to take a long distance human view of the situation in determining our policy with regard to the mandate over Samoa. The danger is that we magnify the problem of to-day and thus obscure the issues, the determination of which may vitally aflect Native life and liberties for generations. Tile wholesale importation of Chinese indentured labor is advocated as the only means of salvation for the "big plantations. Whilst recogr.isin" from- the purely commercial standpoint the desirability of this, I am con zinced that under the mandate there devolves on us the fundamental and graver responsibility of safeguarding the Samoan race. Moreover the propaganda of a half-bred Chinese people within Samoa might ultimately add a menace to us in the Pacific. Our duty in Samoa is systematically to educate the Samoan people, to provide medical and hospital facilities, to assist in the sanitation of villages, and to encourage the Samoans in the fuljest cultivation of their own lands, by the Government taking over the entire output of produce and selling it in the best available market. Already the Natives produce 75 per cent, of the copra export. Regarding finance it is primarily important tha| we teach the Natives to become self-reliant and to develop tlieir own resources. Sufficient* taxation is needed to prevent the island becoming a burden on the New Zealand tax-payer, and I hope Parliament will not approve of the proposal to lend money to Samoa free of interest. Mr. Veitch concluded: Samoa is a fertile country, and, if properly administered, with sufficient shipping, it will be able to bear the its own government and velopmentMr. Holland declined to srive an Interview, and said that with regard to Official LaJjor he would not make any statement until he reported to the National Council of New Zealand, u* Box 185, Wangazml. 1

SIR JAMES ALLEN. Sir James Allen said reports by Mr. Bird on educational systems, Mr. Vickennan on Public Works, Mr. Gibbs on Wireless, Mr. M'Cristell on departmental organisation in Samoa, and Mr. Black on tropical horticulture, would be of the greatest importance in deciding the policy of the External Affairs Department, also Mr. Marsden's report on the Observatory at Samoa, where most valuable observations and data are in the course of completion, which, in the immediate future were likely to add to the world's knowledge in weather forecasts, navigation, wireless transmission, and the prediction of earthquakes. The question of the allocation of cost and upkeep must be settled. Undoubtedly upon the labor supply depended the solution of the difficulties in Samoa. Without labor there would be no plantations, no white population, and no revenue. Without revenue it would bo impossible to embark on the programme of education and other undertakings for the benefit of the Samoan people". On examination the sources of supply showed that Chinese was the only labor available for indenture. Three attempts hacl been made to secure Japanese but they were unsuccessful. If "free" Asin'v labor was introduced it would soon result in the wiping out of | the Samoan race. As far as was known the Chinese Government had decline.l to allow wives to accompany indentured men. It was thought that limiting the indenture to three years would largely? reduce the trouble and,prove most satisfactory. ' Questioned as to the duration of the; semi-mililary administration he said it, would be continued until the Imperial' Order-in-Oouncil's reference and (mandate had ben received. The Govern-' ment had' good reasons, which it was unWise to announce, for retaining the civil constabulary in Rnmoa at present.. Wireless correction. —Sir JftmeA Allen, speaking at Mangaia. said he hoped it would be possible to exchange teachers of the Cook Group of State schools with, teachers of the New Zealand Native schools, and to some extent co-ordinate the two systems.