Late Mr. H. S. Griffin

Letter to the Editor T notice in the July number, under the heading of “Samoa’s Troubles,” a letter from a London correspondent in praise of Mr. H. S. Griffin.

Harry Griffin was a pal of mine and one for whom I have always had the highest respect. On account of his know ledge of the Samoan language, he was appointed secretary of Native Affairs, under General Sir George Richardson.

This position is a most important one-

The official is in close contact with the natives, and is the go-between them and the Administrator. It appeared to me that Griffin was inclined to give way too much to the Administrator on matters which were likely to cause unrest. As a master-printer, employed by the London Missionary Society, he lived most of his time while in Samoa at the L.M.S. Col lege, Malua, where one meets natives on their best behaviour. Although both Mr. and Mrs. Griffin had mastered the Samoan language, they would not be acquainted with the Samoans and their intrigues, or know their real character to the same extent as the traders.

Griffin was secretary of Native Affairs when the trouble in Samoa started, and was the Administrator’s adviser. It therefore was Mr. Griffin’s duty to oppose strongly any administrative legis lation that was likely to cause unrest.

Griffin was a man of big stature and of fine personality, but he was not strong enough to oppose Richardson- The natives right up to-day, blame Griffin, for a lot of the trouble, because he per mitted the official mind to over-rule his judgment. He informed me once that on several occasions he did protest, but all his protests were over-ruled.

Griffin was a kindly-disposed gentle man, with a pleasing personality, and liberal-minded, despite his missionary environment. I could never understand his persecution of the high chief, Tama sese, who some years later perished, with a number of other Samoans, in the tragedy of December 29, 1929.

I am, etc.,

G.E.L.W.

Apia, Samoa, 20/8/35.