Arts

The Stir in Samoa

The fiftieth anniversary of Samoan independence is celebrated on 1 June 2012. To mark this occasion the Library is displaying some of our extensive collection of Samoan publications. The University of Auckland Library has one of the world’s greatest collections of Pacific research material.

The display highlights some aspects of Samoan history illustrated by items from our collection. There’s a selection of photographs from the time of New Zealand’s administration of Samoa, from 30 August 1914 when the British flag was raised in Apia until independence day on 1 January 1962. This includes the influenza pandemic of 1918, the Mau independence movement, the UN mandate and trusteeship administration by New Zealand, and post-independence relationship with New Zealand. Other sources include official publications, manuscripts (Acheson papers, 1906-1948), newspapers (Samoa Bulletin), theses and research publications, recordings from the Archive of Maori and Pacific Music, and audio-visual material.

Photograph reproduced courtesy of George McKay.

`Badminton at Vailima, 1925’. McKay, Cyril Gilbert Reeves, 1900-. Historical photographs of Samoa, Tokelau, and Cook Islands. 1914-1960. MSS & Archives 2007/5, folder 1/1. Special Collections, University of Auckland Library.

Photograph reproduced courtesy of George McKay.

`Demonstration by ‘Mau’ movement members, 1920s [ca.].’ McKay, Cyril Gilbert Reeves, 1900-. Historical photographs of Samoa, Tokelau, and Cook Islands. 1914-1960. MSS & Archives 2007/5, folder 3/2. Special Collections, University of Auckland Library.

The title of this post, The Stir in Samoa, is taken from a 1928 pamphlet about the Mau movement. It was published as a response to The Revolt of the Samoans, in which then Labour Party leader Harry Holland described the New Zealand administration as a “military dictatorship.”

The display runs from 17 May to 30 June 2012 in the General Library.

References

A. B. Chappell. The Stir in Samoa: An Independent Review. Auckland, 1928.

H. E. Holland. The Revolt of the Samoans. Wellington, 1928.

McKay, Cyril Gilbert Reeves, 1900-. Historical photographs of Samoa, Tokelau, and Cook Islands. 1914-1960. MSS & Archives 2007/5, folders 1/1 and 3/2. Special Collections, University of Auckland Library.

Acheson, Frank O. V. (Frank Oswald Victor), 1887-1948. Papers, 1906-1948. MSS & Archives 96/1. Special Collections, University of Auckland Library.

Print posted @ Thursday, May 17, 2012 9:22 AM