II

On November 19th the Administrator, General Richardson, left for New Zealand for a conference with the Minister of External Affairs, Sir Francis Bell, whom he met, I believe, in Auckland. It was generally understood that he hoped to win an alteration in the New Zealand Government's policy of Prohibition for the Europeans of Western Samoa, and also a free hand to make substantial changes in the running of the Crown Estates.

Soon after his return to Apia, on December 24th, the Administrator made a speech on policy to the members of the page 163Chamber of Commerce and of the Welfare League. He intimated that it was proposed to lease the smaller of the Crown Estates, and to place the remaining properties under a Board of Control: which consisted—so it proved—of himself, the Secretary to the Administration, and Mr. McDonald. Also that it was intended to dispose of such Government enterprises as the Butchery, Dairy, Ice-works, Laundry, Resthouse, etc., set up by the first New Zealand and extremely bureaucratic civil administration. His speech was long and optimistic.

Nelson, in the course of a reply, thanked the Administrator for the confidence he had reposed in them, and said:

"Before you left on your trip a vote of confidence in your Excellency was carried by acclamation in a general meeting of the citizens. It is a pleasure for me to again confirm the same. The problems confronting Samoa are weighty, but being assured of your keen interest in the welfare of the Territory and the advancement of its people, I wish to repeat that in your strenuous efforts to further them you may reply on our support and co-operation at all times in the future, as you have kindly admitted having received in the past. Though we may not all be as optimistic of the future as you are, our hearts and interests are centred right here in Samoa and we shall work hand in hand with you in all matters tending to the progress of the Territory. The near future may not seem so bright to us, but we are just as determined to bring about happy and prosperous conditions again and will pull together with you towards that end."