Popular Figure.

Lord Bledisloe in Samoa.

From Our Own Corresvondent.

Apia, May 12.

THE festivities of the Vice-Regal visit to Samoa are over and we have re turned to our working-day routine and the exigencies of our daily struggle as expressed in copra prices, high cost of living, and similar unattractive pro saic terms.

The visitors were received with en thusiasm by the European community; but, unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the attitude of the native popu lation. Though the Administration had tried every means to induce the natives to unite in a representative demonstra tion of welcome and loyalty, their efforts were unavailing and the Mau kept aloof and took no part whatever in the entertainments.

When H.M.S. “Diomede” dropped anchor in Apia Harbour on April 19, a period of rainy days had interfered with the preparations for

the Vice-Regal visit, and also had, unfortunately, put the roads in an impassable condition. Wednesday morn ing was not bright and pessimistic wea ther prophecies proved right. Just as the Vice-Regal party stepped ashore on the Customs Wharf, heavy showers of rain came down and marred the impres sive scene of Samoa’s welcome to His Majesty’s representative. Apia had decorated its main beach promenade ap propriately with flags and garlands.

About 1,500 school children, European and native, were lined up between the Customs House and Clock Tower, where Lord Bledisloe and his party passed. The Governor-General was welcomed on the Customs Wharf by the Administrator, General Hart, and Mrs. Hart, Chief Judge Luxford and Mrs. Luxford, and the elected members of the Legislative Council, European and native.

A guard of honour of about 50 ex service men was inspected by Lord Bledisloe, who addressed every member of the guard.

After reviewing the school children, who greeted their Excellencies with cheers, the official party proceeded in motor cars to the Native Department’s office at Mulinu’u. Here natives from various districts of Upolu and Savaii were assembled for a “Taalolo”, the ceremonial dance of honour and respect, and also the “King Kava’’ —the ceremony which is only held with all the old Samoan rites in honour of the King or his representative.

An address was made by the official orator to Lord Bledisloe, in which re spect and loyalty to the King were ex pressed in the flowery and symbolic language of the Samoan chiefs and to which address the Governor-General re plied in lengthy terms.

Dances and open-air proceedings were again disturbed by heavy rain. At the termination of the proceedings at Muli nu’u, the Vice-Regal party drove to Vailima, the Administrator’s residence, to rest after a strenuous day.

In the evening the official dinner took place, when only the heads of depart ments participated.

The round of events on Thursday opened with the official public reception at Apia Courthouse, where a large num ber of European citizens and represen tatives of public bodies and clubs as sembled. A loyal address was presented to the Governor-General by Hon. T. H.

Carruthers, M.L.C., first elected member, in which the gratification of European settlers at the visit of Lord Bledisloe was expressed. The address was signed by representatives of the Missions, the Legislative Councillors, the Chamber of Commerce, Planters’ Association, and German Club Concordia.

In his reply, His Excellency expressed his thanks for the cordial welcome and the loyal sentiments expressed. He stated that the visit to Western Samoa had caused himself and Lady Bledisloe unqualified satisfaction and pleasure. He congratulated the Administrator on the loyal and staunch support he received in the administration of the country, stressing especially the valuable work of the missions amongst the natives. He further pointed to the fact that, in spite of the difficult times, Samoa, as a purely agricultural country, was largely self supporting and that the coming World Economic Conference might probably do something to improve world conditions.

Dealing with various economic world problems, Lord Bledisloe then came to the specific products of Samoan agricul ture —copra and cocoa. Though the out look for copra was not bright, cocoa, as a high quality product, was bound to

recover its good value, as soon as the purchasing power of the world re covered.

His Excellency further addressed spe cial comments to the representatives of the missions, the medical officers, the Chinese Consuls, the German represen tatives, the merchants and teachers, ac knowledging their share in the develop ment of Samoa.

Thursday afternoon followed visits to Ifi Ifi and Malifa schools, also to the London Mission College at Malua and the Methodist Mission School at Faleula.

At Ifi Ifi European school, Mr. Wood head, the headmaster, suitably addressed his Excellency, who replied, compliment ing the teachers for their work. A din ner at the Masonic Lodge followed.

On Friday morning the Planters’ As sociation of Samoa were hosts to the Vice-Regal party at the Reparation Estates’ Plantation at Tuanamato at morning tea. Here the planters at a rep resentative gathering, freely discussed their troubles and struggle with Lord Bledisloe and the members of his party, who were also shown over the cocoa fer menting and drying machinery and showed great interest in all they saw.

Lord and Lady Bledisloe evinced great sympathy with the planters’ problems and the Governor-General, an agricul tural expert of the first class, felt ap parently very much at home amongst the primary producers of Samoa, as the speeches by the Planters’ presidents (Mr.

Golk) and the reply of Lord Bledisloe clearly proved. The gathering was a huge success and the charming person alities of Lord and Lady Bledisloe cap tured the planters’ admiration.

Lord Bledisloe and party left Apia on April 22, after a most enjoyable visit to these islands.