Samoa's Mlc

Regrettable Incident at a Public Function

Letter to the Editor OLD residents of Western Samoa have openly expressed their regret and shame recently that they should be publicly represented by a man of the type who now occupies the position of their First Elected Member of the Legis lative Council.

This MLC has been carrying on in an irresponsible way, which may be ap plauded by beach hooligans, but is cer tainly not approved by all the better-class Europeans and Samoans. He chooses to regard the retiring Administrator, Sir Alfred Turnbull, as his particular enemy;

and recently, at a public function, he took it upon himself to denounce the Administration and the Administrator, and he proclaimed that Sir Alfred Turn bull had been “kicked out” through his influence. That, of course, is quite ridi culous-even the poorest-quality NZ Minister would take no notice of such a man—but it “went over big” with the gutter brigade, to whom this precious MLC makes his particular appeal.

It is a pity that Samoa had to go to such a man in order to find a Council representative. Fortunately, Mr. A. G.

Smyth is back again now from his Aus tralian holidays; he has always held the respect of the public and can represent us worthily in public functions.

I am, etc.,

“Old Resident.”

Apia, Jan. 2, 1946.