Editorial Note

Much might be written in reply to the N.Z. Prime Minister and Mr. O’Brien; but there is sufficient answer in the accom panying report from our Samoan corres pondent, dated Sept. 29.

I have said repeatedly that nothing that has been done by the “Goodwill Mission” will bring political peace to Samoa; that far too much notice of so-called “native grievances” has been taken by this and previous N.Z. Governments; that the only treatment which will succeed with the well-endjowed and over-pampered native Samoans is a combination of firm ness and strict, impartial justice, applied by trained administrators who understand the Polynesian character; and that the real problems in Samoa are the local-born population and the need for economic de velopment of the country.

People who understand Pacific adminis tration realise that there will be a Samoan problem so long as inexperienced New Zea land is muddling about there; and that the problem would disappear automatic ally if Samoa were placed under the skilled administration of the British Colo nial Office.

N.Z. might have governed the Samoans as happily as she has governed Maoris and Cook Islanders had she not been so hope lessly compromised by the events of 1920- 30. Now, she can do nothing right. It would be much better for her good name if she got rid of the Mandate. Otherwise, the devil’s brew will only bubble up again.

If it had not come from a gentleman so kindly and courteous, I should have said that Mr. O’Brien’s suggestion that I am animated by bias against the present So cialist Government in N.Z. is as funny as it is feeble. I thought I had been a much more hostile critic of other and non- Socialist N.Z. Governments, in connection

with Samoan affairs.-

R.W.R.