"NOT SATISFACTORY."

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 211, 7 September 1927, Page 11

"NOT SATISFACTORY."

ORDER OF REFERENCE. THE SAMOA* COMMISSION. DEPORTATION OF EUROPEANS. NOT TO BE INCLUDED. CBj Telesrapi—Parliamentary Reporter.! WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The fact that the order of reference for the Samoan Commission does not cover the question of the proposed de(portation of Europeans, was brought under the notice of the Prime Minister by the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives this afternoon. The order of reference referred to the banishment of Samoans, said Mr. H. E. Holland, but it made no reference to the other question. The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coatee said that was perfectly true, but the attitude of the Government in this matter was that Parliament had already dealt with the question. for one," said Mr. Coates, "felt that it was not competent to ask the commission to review Parliament's decision." Mr. Holland asked if that meant that no action of the Administrator with regard to the threatened deportation of Europeans could be taken into consideration by the commission. Mr. Coates said that so far the Administrator had not reported his intention of deporting anyone. Mr. Holland: But he has threatened to deport them. Mr. Coates: I am unable to say. Before there can be any deportations the Administrator must make a recommendation to the Governor-General in Council. Parliament has laid down the line of action to be followed by the Administrator. "If the Administrator has illegally threatened to deport anyone, would the commission be able to inquire?" asked Mr. Holland. Continuing, Mr. Coates said he did not know that he could say any more. He did not know that he had made the matter dear. Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon): It seems to me a very serious limitation. Mr. Coates: That again is a matter of opinion.

An hon. member: It is not very dear. Mr. Holland: It is quite clear, but not satisfactory.