Samoa And The

Mau

Late Administrator’s Claims are Challenged

From Our Own Correspondent.

APIA, September 1.

THE former Administrator of Western Samoa, Sir Herbert Hart, on his re turn to New Zealand, granted interviews to various press representatives, in which he described the political and economic conditions of the territory as very satis factory. He claimed that there had been a vast improvement during his admini strative period, which had just found public recognition by an official pro nouncement of the New Zealand Govern ment.

Some of the statements are unfounded in fact and look suspiciously like self advertisement. For instance, Sir Herbert asserts that all trouble with the Samoan Mau ceased 18 months ago. The late Administrator must know that this is not so—as he had ample opportunity to ob serve during his last official malaga through the group. That the Mau, at present, shows no outward signs of activity is solely due to the fact that the Administration wisely left the natives alone and refrained from irritating and provocative measures. That the Mau exists and is strong is shown by a report that at the present moment a collection is being taken up among Mau members for funds, in preparation for the antici pated return of the exiled leader, O. F.

Nelson. It is expected that at the coming New Zealand elections the Labour Party will gain a majority and that the banish ment of Mr. Nelson will be cancelled.

Sir Herbert said that the co-operation of the native Samoans was most notable in the Health Department. Quite apart from the fact that the medical service was better organised and more extensive under Sir Herbert Hart’s predecessors (General Richardson and Colonel Allen), better sanitary and health conditions— especially in regard to the prevalence of yaws—have been brought about by a yaws campaign, made financially possible by the splendid support of the Rocke-

feller Foundation, and partly by the work of the only private medical practitioner in Samoa, Dr- Dawson.

Figures quoted by Sir Herbert show an increase in population from 37,865 in 1926, to 53,087 in 1935 —a natural increase of 40 per cent, in the last nine years. But the latter figure is an estimate based on a count made in connection with the yaws campaign and is, for all practical purposes, valueless. It is believed to be far too high; the actual population, at present, does not exceed 45,000.

It would lead too far to refute the various other statements made by Sir Herbert Hart regarding the financial and economic conditions in Samoa. Planters and merchants are still struggling through difficult times. Produce prices are low, the cocoa crop has so far been a washout, and there is at present a large surplus of bananas, unexportable owing to lack of transport. Sir Herbert Hart has not been sympathetic concern ing the problems of the planters and traders. Not once, during the four years of his administration did he set foot oh a privately-owned European plantation, though posing as an expert on agricul tural matters and passing judgment on the planting industry.

His attitude of indifference was recip rocated by the European community, not to mention the native Samoans. Reports of a newspaper correspondent, connected with the Apia Administration, who de scribed the splendour of farewell func tions given in honour of Sir Herbert and Lady Hart before their departure, caused

some merriment in Apia. As a matter of fact, farewell functions were almost ex clusively attended by the official set, and the paid Samoan officials; while the non official residents, as well as the majority of Samoans, who still belong to the Mau Movement, were conspicuous by their absence.