Western Samoa's War

Plane

Letter to the Editor rpHE report on page 10 of the “P.1.M.”

L for September of the effort in Samoa to raise money to provide an aeroplane for the Royal Air Force, is remarkably incomplete—whether by in advertence or by design I do not pre tend to know. The following is an exact account of the origin of the movement.

I called a meeting of the committee of the United Progressive Party of Western Samoa for June 27, and suggested that an attempt should be made to raise, within about three months, by public subscription, as near as possible to £5,000 to purchase or help to purchase one ot the less expensive types of aeronlane as a gift from Samoa to the Royal Air Force. This suggestion was adopted, and I at once paid to the Treasurer of the United Progressive Party a donation of £lO from myself and £5 from my mother, Mrs. L. Glover, to open the fund.

The next day, Mr. A. G. Smyth, Mr.

A. Williams and I called on the Acting Administrator and informed him of our intention. Our action appeared to pl°ase him very much, and he immediately in quired by radio on our behalf as to the costs of the various types of suitable air craft. The reply, which did not arrive until July 26, signed by the Minister for External Affairs, Wellington, contained the following: “Government greatly ap preciate splendid spirit of patriotism and generosity evinced in the offer of United Progressive Party to raise funds for the purchase of aeroplane for Royal Air Force.”

Meanwhile, we thought that other sec tions of the community might like to join in our work, so a meeting was arranged between the Committee of the United Progressive Party and a number of citizens and public servants who, in our opinion, had the time, facilities and inclination to work hard with us. By this time, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Liston had promised £2O, and Mr. and Mrs. A. G.

Smyth £lOO, so that by the date the meeting was held, the fund stood at £135.

That meeting was held on July 25, and the Committee of the United Progressive Party was joined by seven others, includ ing the Acting Administrator (as Patron of the fund) and Mr. W. Harper, who kindly agreed to act as Treasurer. This meeting was reported in the “Western Samoa Mail” of July 27. The augmented committee held its first meeting on July 29, and accepted the offer of Mrs. Smyth to collect on behalf of the fund. Al though everything appeared to be going smoothly, there was an element of dis cord —as is usual in Samoa —and this re sulted in a public meeting on August 6, by which time the fund stood at £673/10/-, made up of £453/19/- in cash and the balance in promises.

That is the meeting to which you re ferred in September. At this meeting, the United Progressive Party Committee handed over the fund to a new Com mittee which was then elected. The United Progressive Party is strongly re presented on the new Committee.

I am. etc.,

P. W. Glover, B.Sc., P.R.A.S.

President, United Progressive Party of Western Samoa.

Apia, 27/9/1940.

Mr. J. F. Surr arrived in Sydney re cently by the “Malaita” from Gela, 8.5.1., where he has been engaged in work for the Melanesian Mission. Later he pro ceeded to Auckland, N.Z., to take charge of the Mission’s office.

A typical Ocean Island Family: On the left Is Naewantabuariki, a lead ing man of Buakonikai village and, on the right, Tekoruru, who repre sents Tabwewa village in the Native Govern ment. (Photo, by Tokamaen Main.)