Samoan “Policy”

N.Z. Minister Resents Being Nagged At In Geneva

From Our Own Correspondent.

Auckland, Mar. 10

THE N.Z. Minister, Mr. W. A. Nash. when before the League of Nations Council in Geneva in January, expressed resentment at the manner in which he had been cross-examined about Samoa by the Mandates Commission.

Mr. Nash said the new N.Z. Govern ment sent a Cabinet Minister and a private member to Samoa to find the best way of rectifying native grievances. The Government then formulated a policy, which it submitted to the Mandates Com mission. But, instead of accepting that as an indication of N.Z.’s intentions, the Commission proceeded to cross-examine the N.Z. representative as if it were dis satisfied with what had been done, and proposed.

A member of the Commission said there had been no cross-examination only a full and friendly discussion. Some of the members of the Commission were ready to express surprise, not on any point of policy, but at the manner in which the new policy and the reasons for the change had been announced to the natives. It was felt in some quarters that possibly the exhilaration of victory in New Zealand had led to misunder standing.

EDITORIAL NOTE, The Minister’s quaint assumption that the “Goodwill Mission’s” visit to Samoa, and the N.Z. Government’s Samoan pol icy, could not deserve anything but praise, is typical of the politician. It must be very irri tating to such a man to find that the Mandates Commission, will give consideration to information received from other quarters. Everyone knows what the “Goodwill Mission” achieved • no use flogging that poor horse again. But it is inter esting to learn that the N.Z. Government has a Samoan policy. Has anyone seen it? What is it object? Samoa for the Samoans, we presume.