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Will N. Zealand's Promises Be Honoured?

Prom Our Own Correspondent

N_ .. Apia, Jan. 6.

O practical results of the visit of the Dominion’s Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) and his party have so far been announced, apart from matters of minor importance. It seems unfortunate that the European representatives made the prohibition of liquor their major complaint, when there are many other problems (land shortage, produce prices, and Administration expenditure amongst others) which seem to be of far greater importance—although the prohibition as imposed in the Territory is admittedly unsatisfactory.

The political future of the Territory gives rise to considerable speculation.

New Zealand realises that her record of administration has been far from perfect and has not contented either Samoans or Europeans.

Mr. Fraser expressed the sincere con cern and good intentions of New Zealand he also promised full and favourable con sideration of the New Zealand Cabinet on the more important requests submit ted to him by the Samoans and Euro peans. It remains to be seen, however, how far his promises will be translated into action.

There is a lot of room for agricultural and industrial development and encour agement of private enterprise to the mutual benefit of New Zealand and Western Samoa., Agriculture and industry have not been developed in step with the large natural increase op the Samoan population during the past 30 years (from some 30,000 to about 68,000 in 1944).

A far-reaching and liberal Government policy would have made Samoa a great supply base for tropical products like copra, cocoa, rubber and bananas. This would have been of great benefit to NeW Zealand during the difficult war years by helping to supply war needs of essential raw materials.

A fact which is generally overlooked is that the population of Western and Eastern Samoa combined is over 80,000, and thus represents the strongest branch of the Polynesian race. Many believe that the Samoans of Western and East ern Samoa should be united under one Government, as ,the division into West ern and Eastern Samoa is purely a “divorce of convenience” for the pur poses of the big nations and not justified by reasons of logic or nature.

Wing-Commander Donald Donaldson is now stationed in Australia. He is chief pilot to the Duke of Gloucester, Australia’s new Governor - General. Wing - Com mander Donaldson was formerly of the Phosphate Commission on Nauru. He was reported missing on air operations over France in June, but presumably he escaped or was released when France was liberated.