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The TRUTH about SAMOA

A Ministerial Promise

A Ministerial Promise.

I returned from my health trip to Australia via New Zealand, and went to Wellington, where, on the 1st September, 1926, I was granted an interview by the Right Honorable Mr. J. G. Coates. Prime Minister of New Zealand. The Hon. W. Nosworthy, Minister of External Affairs in charge of Samoa, and Sir Maui Pomare. Minister for the Cook Islands, were present on the 1st September, 1926. I related in detail the conditions existing in Samoa, and received a very sympathetic hearing from the three Cabinet .Ministers, more particularly from the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister requested the Minister of External Affairs to pro- page 14 ceed to Samoa to investigate the matter by first opportunity. Mr. Nosworthy stated that he would only be able to leave by the following steamer in October. The Prime Minister also referred to the Administrator; General Richardson, as once his superior military officer in words which were not complimentary to him in that capacity.

I returned to Samoa by the September steamer and reported to my elected colleagues on the Legislative Council the result of my interview with the three Cabinet Ministers in Wellington, and the promise of the Minister of External Affairs (Hon. Mr. Nosworthy) to come down by the October steamer.

On my return to Apia I was tendered a public reception, at which Central Richardson made a very flattering speech of welcome home, referring in the highest terms to my activities in the social and public life of the Territory. He said I had always and was ever promoting the welfare of Samoa and its people. He referred to me in a very complimentary manner as a colleague in the Legislative Council. He pointed out to the youths of Samoa that my life was a model for them to follow, and concluded by saying: "I, personally, am merely a passing phase in your lives.

. . . Mr. Nelson will, however, be with you always, and I wish him long life, happiness, and may his prosperity increase." In view of the fact that a little more than a year later the same gentleman ordered my deportation from my native land for five years, his forecast that I would be with them always suggests that His Excellent possessed about equal capacity as a Prophet and an Administrator.