Eight Samoan chiefs arrived by the Tofua in Auckland yesterday, and were met by Mr J.D. Gray, Under-secretary of Internal Affairs, who welcomed them to New Zealand. Chieftain Toelupe replied, thanking the Government for inviting them to visit New Zealand. It was like a new world to them, he said, adding that they came to see new things that would likely to be of help and advancement to their country. During their visit the chiefs will pay particular attention to industrial establishment. In an interview they stated that they were pleased with British control of Samoa, which seemed to have ushered in an era of prosperity for their country, and the giving to natives a voice in their education matters was to them an important matter. The British had restored to many villages in Samoa land which had been taken under German occupation, giving these villages scope for development. Under the present Administration the population had begun to increase. Last year the increase was about 1000. People had begun to clean up and develop plantations. They were anxious to develop trade with New Zealand in bananas, pineapples and other fruits. With those and copra they hoped to be able to do a lot. They were adopting modern methods of dealing with copra. It was the sincere hope of the people to establish direct trade with New Zealand. The visitors were dressed in grey cloth lava-lavas, a form of skirt worn well below the knees, neat flannel shirts and brown tweed coats. The faipules, who are law-makers, represent the Samoan people at the meeting of the Fono or native Parliament, and discuss with the Administrator all matters pertaining to the welfare of the natives.
One planet, two expos?
The question of the postponement of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition in view of the re-opening of Wembley will have to be seriously considered, and there seems to be a feeling here that the directors would certainly be acting wisely in postponing the exhibition rather than have it going at the same time as Wembley.
The position is no doubt a difficult one for Dunedin in view of the commitments that have already been made, but though a fine British Exhibition is assured for Dunedin it is generally admitted that the two exhibitions would clash to a certain extent if held at the same time. It is understood that cable messages are passing between the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the New Zealand Government in regard to the latter’s taking part in another Wembley Exhibition. — by ODT Wellington correspondent
Directors exhibit resolve
At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition Co yesterday afternoon, the following minute was adopted: "That the board, having under consideration at several meetings the question of the postponement of the Exhibition for a year on account of the re-opening of Wembley in 1925, and fully realising the difficulties of the position, has arrived at the conclusion that the matter can only be decided when it is definitely known whether Wembley will reopen or not, and that, even in that event, postponement could only be entertained on being satisfied that it would be in the interests of the dominion and of the Empire. In the meantime the board and the committees are carrying on their full activities." — ODT, 4.12.1924
Compiled by Peter Dowden
