Sullen Spirit In Samoa

Visiting Journalist Says Gesture of Conciliation is Called For

THE following summary of the position in Samoa appeared in The Auckland Star on June 17. The article —because it came apparently from a source completely with out bias —caused much comment in New Zealand.

A MUCH-TRAVELLED journalist, Mr. Marc T. Greene, foreign correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor, The New York Sun. and other American journals, has just passed through New Zealand after four weeks’ residence, in Samoa. Mr.

Greene has personally investigated conditions in Russia under the Soviet, he knows first hand the story of the Chinese Republic, and his special work for journalism relates to happenings of international importance. He pro poses shortly to renew acquaintance with some of the leaders in the modern Chinese movement.

Mr. Greene’s impressions of Samoan conditions are not altogether palat able to New Zealanders, but his ex perience of many forms of government, and a close knowledge of Polynesia give his opinions some weight.

“The first impression one gets in the place,” said Mr. Greene, “is that there is too much militarism. With all due respect to the present administrator, for whom I have high regard, and who is doing his best under the policy laid down, I think it would have been wiser had the New Zealand Government ap pointed a civil administrator. Instead of talking of sedition and discipline and disloyalty in Samoa, there should be more references for sympathy, and an attempt to understand the psy chology of the people.

“Release Political

Offenders.”

“There has been no end of talk and your people are hoping that things will calm down. I am convinced that they have not calmed down. Something more than a passive attitude is now needed to make things right in Samoa.

A definite gesture of conciliation is called for. Go beyond words, and re lease all the political prisoners.”

Mr. Greene explained that, apart from the few deportees, there are many scores of political offenders im prisoned in Samoa. “I saw fifty of them in one group, working in the plantations, and the bananas you en joy in New Zealand —some of them — have been produced by this kind of convict labour.”

It was suggested to the critic that a general release of offenders would be regarded by Samoans as a sign of weakness, but Mr. Greene strongly dis sented. Such an idea might, he re marked, be created in the mind of, say, the Chinese people, but it was quite different with the Samoan, who had a different psychology.

“And it is also quite a wrong idea that conditions are improving. They are getting worse. Things are quiet, but it is a passive resistance, which becomes more sullen. The Samoans are following the advice given in the last words of Tamasese: ‘Do not do more to bring about bloodshed,’

Nevertheless, when such a strained position exists, something may break out.”

Representation Wanted.

When he was asked to suggest an alternative to the present policy, Mr Greene said that the principal com plaint of the Samoan people should be considered, that they have no voice in the government of their country.

A reminder of the Council of Fai pules provoked the criticism that these 35 Samoans are to all intents and purposes subsidised by the Gov ernment.

Mr. Greene declared that a more re presentative constitution was needed,

somewhat on the lines of that pro posed for American Samoa. There is a Bill before Congress, with every prospect of adoption this year, provid ing for autonomy for this territory.

The naval governor is to be displaced by a civilian, and American Samoa given a Parliament elected by the people. This will follow the lines adop ted in the Philippines, excepting that in the latter country there is a mili tary governor. (This Bill already has been passed and is shortly coming into operation.

Ed. P.I.M.)

Example Of Tonga.

“New Zealand has made a success of its administration of Rarotonga,” continued Mr. Greene, “and I know from personal knowledge of that group that the Administrator, Mr. Ayson, has won not only the respect, but the affec tion of the people. You have suggest ed that under Samoan rule the health, education and economic conditions of the natives might go back, but they are an exceedingly cleanly race, and I would have no fear on that score. Such a Government would have to be under the direction of a European governor with power of veto.

“If New Zealand wants an example to follow, it could take some points from the Crown protectorate of Tonga.

I have never seen a happier native people. They are ruled by a Queen and a Parliament which supports a Cabinet, including a New Zealander, as Minister of Finance. European con trol over finances would be essential.

“I became friendly with some of the Samoan chiefs,” concluded the Ameri can journalist. “At first —so bad is the atmosphere of suspicion—they took me for a spy, but I eventually got far enough into their confidence to know that they would receive such a practi cal gesture from your Government as I have indicated, with real gratitude and appreciation.

“General Hart, the new Adminis trator, has shown every desire for con ciliation. but in the absence of a tang ible indication, his efforts are bound to fail. No amount of further talk will be convincing.”