A.—4b.

His Excellency states that there are various matters in which the Samoans have no business, and likewise that the Europeans should not interfere in Samoan affairs. It is difficult to see where the sphere of Samoans and Europeans end. If we speak about financial matters, have not the Samoans the right to know about financial matters, as they represent 95 per cent, of the population ? Has a statement of the country's finances ever been published in Samoan ? We have to consider the fact that His Excellency the Administrator is his own leader of Parliament and Speaker of the House. In other countries of higher status than ours these positions are not held in the same person. Consequently the Government may be easily criticized. We have not reached that status. To-day we have in the person of His Excellency the Prime Minister and leader of Government. As the representative of His Majesty he is supreme ; as leader of the Government he is open to criticism. We are told that no Europeans have dabbled in Native politics in other British colo' ies. Indians and Fijians are in the Legislative Council in Fiji, consequently they legislate anu deliberate on matters that are the welfare of the Territory as a whole. In New Zealand the same thing happens. New Zealand is a self-governing Dominion, and we do not wish to compare ourselves in any way with New Zealand. Fiji is not; it is a Crown colony, with the same status as ourselves. Fijians and Indians are in politics there. In India it is just the same. So I say that in other countries where there is a Crown colony with Natives they certainly legislate and deliberate with Europeans in matters appertaining to politics. We are told that there are certain proper channels through which the Samoans can lodge their complaints. I know, to the contrary, of Samoans who have tried to reach His Excellency and have been afraid to do so, because these channels have been barred. When New Zealand accepted the mandate of Western Samoa she accepted a solemn obligation to see that the Native inhabitants received impartial justice and free treatment. The old settlers in Samoa, and particularly the British, who have spent practically their lives here, have the interests of the Samoans and Samoa as a whole at heart, and therefore how can they be separated ? [Notes incomplete.] In every British country there are all sorts of Courts of Appeal, and finally the Privy Council to appeal to. Have the Samoans been told that they may go to a higher Court than His Excellency ? Have they ? I say, No. Indeed, as to the politics belonging to the Europeans and those which belong to the Samoans, I say, which belong to which ? Whose interests are finances ? Do they belong to the Europeans ? I say, No. The Samoans are the largest taxpayers. When we talk of the Legislative Council, who deliberate and legislate on the Territory's finances, should they have the power to legislate for the Samoans, who have 95 per cent, of the population ? I say, No. Everywhere we move the two interests mingle, yet I say that His Excellency has adopted the policy of causing dissension between Samoan and European, and has tried to discredit the trader in the eyes of the Native. Have we not been told from the house-tops that all laws are made for the future welfare and development of the Samoans ? In what way can they be led to advancement and self-help ? By intimidation ? I say, No. Is not His Excellency open to criticism ? As the Administrator and His Majesty's representative, I say No ; as Prime Minister, I say that he is open to criticism, and the Samoans have a right to criticize. Are we going to submit to intimidation ? The British flag was not made for that. The Samoans have always been a free people, and a free people they shall remain. They certainly should be allowed to state any grievances they may have. It is up to you, gentlemen, to decide as to how the actions of the Administrator as leader of this Government are to be taken. The matter before the meeting, gentlemen, is how far we are to take the message from His Excellency the Governor. As I have already stated before, as Administrator we have not the right to resist his orders, but I contend that as Prime Minister and leader of the House we have the right to criticize even his speech from the throne. Would any one Mr. Garter : As the meeting has not yet opened, lam entitled to speak. Would it not be possible, in the face of that letter from His Excellency the Administrator, for the gentlemen who are responsible for convening this meeting to adjourn for about a quarter of an hour and then come back with their decision. I feel that the letter is a serious one, and should have the consideration of those who are responsible for calling the meeting. The Chairman : This meeting is out of the hands of the original conveners. It is simply a continuation of the first meeting for the purpose of reporting on the actions and reports that the committee then elected were asked to make as a further step to achieving those aims and advantages for which the first meeting was called. The meeting is in the hands of the citizens present, Sarnoan and Europeans, as to what steps should be taken in regard to this letter from His Excellency the Administrator. As far as lam concerned this meeting may proceed, but not without the consent of the rest of the meeting. Mr. Carter: The meeting has not yet been opened. The Chairman : The meeting has already been opened, and if we went out and deliberated for three hours it would still remain in the hands of the citizens present as to what steps be taken in regard to this letter from His Excellency the Administrator. If I inferred otherwise it must have been a grammatical error. As far as lam concerned the meeting may proceed, but not without the consent of the rest of the meeting. Hot)'. Williams : This meeting was called as a citizens' meeting, and as a citizen I think that the Samoans have just as much right here as the Europeans. We are here to-night not to discuss matters affecting the rights of the Europeans or the Samoans, but affecting the whole community. I fail to see where this meeting is out of order. Hon. Westbrook: I would like to propose that the meeting go on. We must obey the Administrator, but have the right to criticize the Prime Minister, as he has criticized us Europeans. Chief Faumuina : Europeans and Samoans, we have heard to-night the message from His Excellency, and I exhort all here not to take lightly this message, for he is the representative of the Mandatory Power and the King, and as Governor we should obey him. This is only a continuation

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