A.—4.

discussed it with him. The Administrator explained that Samoa would not be unduly burdened with debt, but the situation was that there was 110 money in Samoa, and if we needed any New Zealand would help. If later New Zealand heard that Samoa was in any difficulty over it New Zealand would wipe it out. Your Excellency then came to Samoa, and we are now together. From the first we noticed that you quickly understood us and our ways and customs. We also quickly understood your wishes for us, your love for us and our country. We saw at once that you did not place first your own high position, but willingly condescended to our level in order to understand us. This greatly surprised us, and we thought that no previous Governor was as yourself in so quickly understanding our language and our customs. Your Excellency's orders issued were recognized as for our benefit, and your exhortations were that we should try and get wisdom to enable us to some day govern ourselves. We put our confidence in those words, and we recognize that you have builded on the true foundation of the Samoan Government—the Fono of Faipules. We were surprised to receive the invitation from New Zealand for some Faipules to visit New Zealand, and have repeated again and again how happy we are at New Zealand's governing us. Doubtless it will be under New Zealand's leadership that we obtain wisdom to enable us to govern ourselves. Our plea to New Zealand is that Your Excellency may be permitted to spend all the rest of your life with us in Samoa. To-day Samoa is advancing. Had previous Governors done what you have for us we should have gone further ahead before this. Our foundation is now assured—the Fono of Faipules. We thank New Zealand for their help. We thank Your Excellency for much that you have done for us. We rejoice that the plantations of the Germans were taken over by New Zealand and the proceeds used for the benefit of Samoa. Our ship is forging ahead. " Malo le 'pale, faafetai tautai." Our roads have been made good ; we have electric light, water-supplies, schools, and wireless stations. More than that, your orders urging men to work and not waste their time wandering about Apia are acceptable, and we are working our lands. There was nothing to tell the Governor-General on his recent visit except our gratitude, and at that time we did not know of a single person here who was not quite happy and content. We thus were surprised to hear nowadays of any complaint or dissatisfaction, and on our inquiring carefully into the matter as to why some were not happy we discovered, and are now sure after investigation, that a European committee has stirred up some Samoans to express dissatisfaction. We notice that there is one section who has been punished, by the Government who are amongst the dissatisfied. One section was seeking for themselves positions in Government situations. One section is out to gain something from the plentiful resources of others. This is a new movement —a new thing amongst us. This European committee is urging that Samoans should seek a new place for themselves. But Samoa already has a place and standing as given by New Zealand. Our history shows that Europeans stirring up the Natives have been our continual hindrance. Our country has at times been divided owing to some of the Europeans long resident in this country trying to take sides with a section of the community. They promise us vaguely the manuia, but they do not go about it in the right way or respectfully. We notice in their paper that they are trying to cause discontent in our peaceful little country and belittle the New Zealand Government. They have come here to this country for their own monetary advantage, and they have got their wealth from us. They came here with one suit of clothes. We are certain that we do not want Europeans to mix in our political affairs, but you have continually urged us to maintain friendly relations with Europeans and to refrain from interfering in their affairs. We may be a small country, but we are a respectful country, and we show respect to Europeans no matter what their country — without any question we receive them all into our fales and show due respect and hospitality as far as we are able, but some of them are not returning this respect. In the Samoan Native affairs those Europeans who have now tried to create discontent do not understand what they are talking of ; only we ourselves understand our country's history and affairs. What they have said recently proves that they do not know how to interpret our history. We who have passed through wars and years of struggling know only too well our former systems and their disadvantages. Our country is now at rest with our present system that has taken the place of former government faa-Samoa. We ourselves gave these sacred matters into the keeping of stable Government. These white people vainly use the names Malietoa and Tupua. These are sacred to us. The clan of the King makes the Government. Lufilufi and Leulumoega are the guardians of Tupua's rights, while the Tuamasaga and Pule and the Aiga-i-le-tai are the guardians of Malietoa's rights. I am. one of the guardians of the Malietoan rights. No white man has any say in such matters. We are the clan of Malietoa. We are the clan of Tupua. We represent those great families. But v»n do not wish these old feudal matters revived. They are too sacred for foreign interference. We <3'? uot wish two Faipules to be dragged into the Legislative Council. Is it these Europeans wish it for tneir own benefit—that they may have a voice in Native Samoan affairs 1 It would be useless to have two Faipules with them at their Council. How would we know what the discussions and difficult disputes were about \ Their interests are different from ours. Now we ask, cannot these people be dealt with % Is there no law to punish and stop them —- they who try to disturb our peaceful country ? We do not know what these good things are that they are promising for Samoa. It is their own wealth they are thinking of, and they will bespoil us in their attempt. Their agitation re fine mats is only so that barrels of beef may be bought from their stores in connection with fine-mat malagas. We know that they in the past meant trouble, dissension, waste time, and even war and bloodshed.

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