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Appendix iv

Sir,—The Samoa Guardian is to be congratulated upon having such an able contributor as "Claymore."¹ I specially desire to congratulate "Claymore" for his article "Pomp" which was published on 2nd August.

The remark that Sir George Richardson and others had to be politically exalted and magnified is, alas, only too true. It seems to me that "the puffing up of one man's vanity" was all that mattered in Samoa.

For several years, the outside world was led to believe that Sir George Richardson had converted Samoa into a veritable paradise. Office-seeking, sycophantic officials knew the weakness of their "boss" and played up to it accordingly. Samoan Faipules were not long in finding this out too and made good use of their opportunity. For those who had to look on, it was really a disgusting exhibition. Many European residents of Samoa (including a few Govt. officials) were disgusted at the continuous propaganda which emanated from "our Apia correspondent" of the Fiji Times and other newspapers in New Zealand. A few years ago the Fiji Times published an article on Samoa headed "A Wise Administrator." This was obviously inspired. The article was copied by the Samoa Times, thus proving that the Editor and Managing Director of that publication was no exception to the general rule then prevalent in Samoa, viz. to shower flattery upon the Administrator like a popular couple at a wedding is showered with confetti.

Not content with all the flattery that was showered upon him by the inspired Press, Sir George Richardson had published in the Savali (in the Samoan language) the article "A Wise Administrator" ("Kovana Poto").

The Fiji Times praised the novel features of Sir George Richardson's official tour of Savaii, and particularly the showing of moving pictures. It might interest readers of the Samoa Guardian to know that the "star" picture was one of General page 290Richardson conducting Mr. Massey around the battle-fields of France during the late war. A Government interpreter (obviously acting under instructions from someone) called for applause from the Samoans whenever General Richardson appeared on the screen, which was not infrequently. Needless to say, Sir George was present every time the picture was shown. There he sat, surrounded by his sycophantic staff, watching his own picture on the screen and drinking in eagerly the rounds of applause that burst from the assembled Samoans from time to time. Of course, the late Mr. Massey and the late Field-Marshal Earl Haig were only minor characters on the screen.

I suggest that "Claymore" write a book on Samoan affairs, particularly during the last few years. A suitable title for the book would be, "How Pooh Bah Ruled Samoa."

Space will not permit of my dwelling upon Sir George Richardson's policy towards the Samoans. I can only sum it up by saying that it was a peculiar mixture of snivelling cant and roaring bluff. As "Claymore" says, "God give us men—men whom the lust of office does not kill."