Samoa Under the Sailing Gods

Appendix x

Appendix x

Address to the Administrator delivered by the "Faipules," February 11, 1928, and included in "The Samoa Annual Report, 1927-28"

Your Excellency,

We are very grateful to Your Excellency that we are able to assemble together and discuss useful subjects and means that may be effective in the attempt to remove the obstacles to Samoa's advance.

There need be not the slightest doubt in Your Excellency's mind, or the New Zealand Government and the nations of the world, as to the cause of the disturbance and the many adverse influences which have been instructed to upset the many good and notable works already done; also the delay of works which were proposed for this year and the future years.

We express our deep gratitude to Your Excellency for your love to our country, and the great number of good things we now observe that New Zealand has done for the prosperity of Samoa at Your Excellency's instigation.

We clearly understand Your Excellency's explanation regarding the resolutions of our last Fono which have come before the present Fono. A great many of these decisions could not be carried out because of the trouble caused by the Mau. This has become like a wall to hedge about Samoa and hinder its progress and prosperity that have been noted through Your Excellency's diligence and earnest love for our insignificant country….

All the matters raised by the Mau Committee are directed to break up the peace and upset the foundations of the House Beautiful of Samoa. The name of that house is "Manuia," and that house is founded in the wisdom and knowledge of the noted master-builder, Sir George Richardson, Your Excellency. We proudly make known to the world our opinion, as follows: That even though men may blame this leader for the troubles they have caused—they who are working for their own interests and who claim to love Samoans—they are not so, they are the enemies of the country, and have led astray a great number up to the present time.

We are thankful to have the decision of the Royal Commission, and now the minds of all intelligent men of the world are clear as to the cause of this unrest. But this wrong should be stopped, and right established. We thank Your Excellency for your patience during insults and the many unjust criticisms and foolish conduct, which is even still continued. We recall the words of the wise man, "Many enemies are risen up against me, but they will be overcome, and authority will be established."