SAMOAN OFFENDERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 236, 18 July 1936, Page 5

SAMOAN OFFENDERS.

AN ACT TO BE REPEALED. CANCELLATION OF TAX ARREARS (By Radio from the Special Representative of United Press Association with the Ministerial Delegation.) (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) APIA, July 16. The Samoan Offenders Ordinance, 1922, under which the Administrator is empowered to banish individuals from their villages and to cancel Samoan titles, is to be repealed, according to an announcement made by the Hon. F. Langstone to-day. The Minister said it had been decided also to cancel arrears of native personal and medical taxes, amounting to about £28,000. CONFLICTING INTERESTS, APIA, July 16. Because of conflicting interests among the natives themselves, no appreciable .progress was made at the resumed conference to-day between the goodwlil mission and the representatives of all sections of the Samoan people. The proceedings lasted from early morning until dusk. No finality was reached on the suggestions made on the previous day by the Hon. F. Langstone, as a basis for an agreement between the people and the Administration. Faumuina (president of the Man) brought forward 16 additional points for consideration. Most of these related to happenings fn the territory as far hack as the German regime. The discussions centred on minor details only. At the conclusion of the day the delegates emphasised the necessity for an understanding on broad principles in order to build the foundations of the future peace and happiness of the Samoan race. Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., said he was certain that if Mr O. F. Nelson had been present he would have accepted the whole of the Minister’s proposals gladly and without hesitation. An assurance was given by Faumuina that an agreement would be arrived at before the delegation returned to New Zealand. The conference adjourned until Monday.