The Struggle Will Continue.

In his pamphlet, "The Revolt of the Samoans," Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the Opposition in the New Zealand Parliament, states: "I personally disagree with very many of Mr. Nelson's viewpoints, but that fact imposes on me no obligation to remain silent when the New Zealand Government clothes General Richardson (an official bird of passage) with power to drive such a citizen from his native land, without any charge page 24 being laid against him, and without the least semblance of the ordinary right of trial which, it is the boast of Britishers, is guaranteed to every individual citizen." Mr. Holland is the leader of the Labour Party, and I am merchant, importer and exporter, so it is perhaps natural that he does not hold with me in the policy of individual trading and other matters appertaining to same, but he fully agrees with me in the sympathies I have shown and the support I have given to the Samoans in their struggle against the despotic and militaristic measures in Samoa. This struggle will continue, despite the decision of the Mandates Commission, until New Zealand passes Samoa to more experienced hands, or the power of the Administrator to interfere in the revered social customs of the Samoans has been removed by statute and the wrongs suffered by the Samoans under these conditions fully redressed.

I learn that Sir Joseph Ward has now been called upon to take up the leadership of the new United Liberal Party in the New Zealand Parliament at the coming General Elections. Sir Joseph is a veteran statesman, known far beyond the borders of New Zealand, and is recognised universally for his genius as a statesman and financier. He comes from a long line of eminent leaders on the Liberal side of politics in New Zealand, and has ably kept up the prestige of his eminent predecessors—Seddor:, Ballance, and Grey. The Liberal Party in New Zealand are responsible for much of the progressive institutions which the people of New Zealand now enjoy.

The methods of administration imposed by the present Government in Samoa cannot possibly reconcile with the policies of Liberalism in New Zealand. So a possible change of Government as a result of the coming General Elections in New Zealand may produce favourable changes in the relations between New Zealand and the mandated territory. It is hoped that the harm done by the present Government will not have caused an irreparable breach.

With the utmost faith in the justice of the cause of the Samoan people in this long struggle for liberty, I look to the near future with hope and confidence. London, October 1st, 1928.