BRITISH JUSTICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 65, 18 March 1930, Page 8

BRITISH JUSTICE.

MEETING THE CHIEFS. POINTS CONSIDERED. SUFFERINGS IN THE BUSH. The Hon. Mr. Cobbe arrived by the Maui Pomare oil March 19, after a rough trip. He was met by the Administrator and Commodore Blake and conducted to "Vailima," the old home of Robert Louis Stevenson, now the official residence of the Administrator. For some days negotiations were quietly carried on with a view to official meetings with the fono (high chiefs). On Monday, March 3, Mr. Cobbe, accompanied by the Administrator (Mr. S. S. Allen) held conferences with High Chiefs Tuimalealiifano and Faumuina and other leading chiefs of the Mau. The meeting took place in a native fale. There was a big attendance of Mau adherents who showed considerable interest in the proceedings. The Administrator said lie was glad to meet the members of the Mau. He thought the meeting should have taken place two years ago had the Mau been desirous of so doing. Speaking as the representative of His Majesty the King, he extended greetings on behalf of His Majesty. He had pleasure in introducing the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister for Defence in New Zealand, and in command of the naval forces in New Zealand. The Hon. J. G. Cobbe said it gave him pleasure to meet the leading chiefs and people of Samoa and to offvr greet, ings of the people of New Zealand. It was the wish of the Government that peace, happiness and prosperity should prevail throughout the length and breadth of Samoa. He hoped thai the meeting would bring about such a happy state of affairs. His Excellency salo that the Mau has existed for a period of three years, during which time the country had been torn by factions anf! disorder. Much money had been wasted; there had 'been two factions, neither working with the other. Under such conditions it was impossible for the welfare and the education of the people. It was high time that all were united and that factions be given up and that discord should pass away. The welfare of the country should come before everything else. Three Points The Administrator then presented for consideration by the Mau the following three points: — (1) To end the Mau and the people to disperse to their villages. (2) To surrender those per sous who had committed offences, as there must.be the same law for everyone. (3) The chiefs to meet the Administrator in fono when required to discuss any matters affecting the country either now or as may be arranged. In explanation, Mr. Allen said it was impossible for the present state of affairs to continue. There could be on 'j one Government for one country. As regards the surrender of the wanted men, he did not anticipate any difficulty in coming 'to agreement that the men wanted should be brought to trial by law. As to the third point, it was the only way to come to a satisfactory position. The Administrator invited frank and free discussion upon all matters,-ex-plaining that the points submitted by him seemed to be the only possible way out of the difficulty. Other ways had been tried and failure had why not try the way he To work In the same way as they had done before with other Governments in power would bring about harmony, fie urged a getting together with that object in view.

In reply, High Chief Faumuina said he had listened closely to all that had been said, and thanked the Administrator and the Hon. J. G. Cobbe for their words of welcome. He could not take upon himself to reply to the proposals of Mr. Allen, but the three points mentioned he would place before the members of the Mau;'any opinion upon the points must be the opinion of the whole of the Mau of Samoa. It was impossible to reply until the points came before the Mau. As Mr. Allen knew, the Mau had gone into the bush, but they were not going back to the bush; they would remain at Vaimoso. Should they do any wrong they could be dealt with by the Administrator. In any case, the Mau would .discuss carefully the points submitted. The chief explained that all of the chiefs were not then in Vaimoso; it was necessary to wait for them before any discussion took place; time was needed, as they wished to discuss the matter according to Samoan custom. New Zealand's Duty. The Hon. J. G. Cobbe referred to the kindly manner in which he had been received and then spoke of the duty of New Zealand as the governing power under the mandate. The understanding of the mandate was that New Zealnv. must be just and fair to all men, and this was the intention of New Zealand, to treat fairly al| within Samoa so long as they held the mandate. The present meeting was for the best interests of the people of Samoa. In hij opinion this could be successfully done by blending together British justice and the best features of Samoan customs. By tliis lie meant not interfering with old Samoan customs. Mr. Cobbe then spoke of the suffering endured by those who had gone into the bush. Nothing had been gained by their doing this. They had gone to the bush because they had listened to certain lying statements and misrepresentation. They had gone away because certain people had told them they were fighting for the independence of Samoa. The people who had told them that had a great deal of sin upon their shoulders. Neither the Administrator, himself, or the people of New Zealand wished them to continue in the way they were going. The wish was that the people of Samoa should be happy, prosperous and contented. The Administrator and himself were at the meeting to hear their real grievances, which would be listened to with patience and sympathy. But one thing must be clearly understood, which was, that law and order must prevail; the Government must rule; there could not be two Governments in Samoa. If there was any injustice or laws oppressive or unfair he wished to hear what they were. He invited free, full and frank discussion, and anything in reason brought forward the Government would be prepared to consider. The Mau could not continue opposing the Administration; all must work towards peace and harmony. Time Required. Upon being urged to fix a time for a reply by the Mau, High Chief Faumuina said that they must have time to consider the points. On Wednesday the conference met for several hours, the conclusion arrived at being: — (1) That the Samoans are not favourable to a break-up of the Mau organisation. (2) That no opposition will be raised to the arrest of certain wanted men on various charges. (3) The people will return to their " villages.