Samoa Is Settling Down

Mau is Quieter Attempt to Give Representative Government

Comparatively peaceful conditions appear now to obtain in Western Samoa, and it is hoped that the rebellious spirit, which brought about the fatal riots at the end of last December, is passing away.

AS is generally known, the Mandate from the League of Nations for the government of Western Samoa is held by New Zealand. The Samoans have been frequently termed “The Irish of the Pacific.” They are a superior class of Polynesians highly intelligent, very proud, warlike and brave, and with a profound faith in their race and its destiny. Of all the Pacific Islands communities, Samoa probably is the most difficult to govern.

New Zealand made some serious mis takes in her selection of men to govern the Samoans under the Mandate. Posi tions of great responsibility were given to officials who tried to cover up their painful limitations with bluster and pomposity. Important powers were placed in the hands of men who might have successfully governed African nig gers, but who had absolutely no know-

Marching in the Man ranks were sev eral persons for whom warrants of ar rest had been issued by the authorities.

Such open defiance of law and order could not be tolerated. The police went forth to arrest the wanted men— the men of the Mau rallied to their protection. In the resulting clash and riot, one white policeman and 11 Sa moans were killed. Tamasese, well loved Mau chief, received fatal wounds.

It looked as if there would be an other war in Samoa. The Mau returned furiously to the bush the Adminis tration sent urgently for naval and military forces. The cruiser Dunedin came from New Zealand, and 150 Royal Marines and bluejackets policed the country. They were outnumbered probably ten, to one by the Mau. But somewhere, somehow, good sense and restraint were exercised, and there was no fighting. The New Zealand authori ties handled the situation with great delicacy and a full measure of credit also can be handed to the Mau lead ers, who must have keot the more tur bulent spirits in check.

In March, a New Zealand Minister, Mr. Cobbe, in company with the new Administrator, held a series of meet ings with the Mau, and although not very much was achieved then, there is no doubt that a better understanding followed. The Mau agreed to recognise the authority of the Government, and a large number of wanted men (mem bers of the Mau) were surrendered.

In his annual report on Western Sa moa to the League of Nations, at the end of July, the Prime Minister of New Zealand says: “The situation in the Territory is now greatly improved, and no difficulty is being experienced in enforcing law and order. There is good ground to hope that co-operation with the Samoans of the Mau will be feasible at no distant date, though the possibility of isolated incidents cannot be ignored. It is con sidered that the present police force will be adequate for the maintenance of order in the Territory, but the Gov ernment. of course, are prepared to re inforce it if necessary.

“It is pleasing to note that as a re sult of economies effected, and without any material curtailment of the activi ties of the Administration, the Territory (except for the cost of the police) was for the year ended March 31, 1930, self supporting — a subsidy of £20,000 was naid to the Territory by the New Zea land Government, but the year closed with a surplus of £20,136.”

As evidence of goodwill, the New Zea land Administration has amended the constitution of the Samoan Legislative Council so as to reduce the European representatives from three to two, and appoint two representatives of the Sa moans. No attempt was made to have these native representatives elected — they were simply nominated by the Administration. This is a temporary arrangement, however, and the Admin istration intends that the Samoans themselves shall select their Legislative Councillors.

The Prime Minister’s report con tinues: “The Government do not feel that representation on the Legislative Council of the Territory can be re garded as an adequate means of enab ling the Samoans to share in their own government, and they have contem plated either the reinstitution of the Fono of Faipules, when conditions al low, or the substitution of some equally suitable means of associating the Samoans in their own government.

“As the result of a meeting between the Administrator, and a generally rep

resentative gathering of natives from all districts, which took place after the date covered by this report, it seems clear that the Samoans still desire the Fono of Faipules as their representa tive body, on lines that will allow of the representation of all sections of the native race. It is hoped to have the scheme in operation by the end of this year.”

It may be noted that there are 2,500 Europeans, 40,000 natives, and 1,000 Chinese in Western Samoa, and the trade turnover is £750,000 per annum.