TERMS OF AGREEMENT.

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

TERMS OF AGREEMENT.

CONCESSIONS BY BOTH SIDES GRATIFICATION EXPRESSED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) APIA, March 7. The negotiations between the conflicting factions reached a satisfactory stage yesterday afternoon, when the Administrator and the Mau came to a partia' understanding after several days' deliberations. The Mau have agreed that the wanted men who are at present being sheltered by them shall be handed over to the police authorities for trial, and that they are quite prepared to meet the Administrator at any time to discuss further questions which crop up from time to time. The chiefs will not agree, however, to the complete disbanding of the Mau. It is possible that the Government may not push this last point to its extremity. They may use a committee of chiefs, elected by the Mau, to act as an advisory board to the Government on questions relating to the Samoan people as a whole. , Thus it appears that at last an amicable settlement of the whole affair can be confidently looked forward to. Mr. Cobbe, who is returning by the Tofua to-day, expressed himself as being satisfied with the recent turn of events, and thinks that the greater part of the trouble is now over. A complete understanding between the Administration and the Samoans may be reached in the near future and further trouble will be averted by diplomacy rather than a show of force. The naval forces operating will be withdrawn as soon as is convenient and it seems extremely unlikely that the present men training "in New Zealand will be required. It is gratifying to the Mau to feel t'hat the concessions have not been on their side alone, and this fact will give them considerably more confidence in the Government. They arc now beginning to realise and understand that it is the earnest wish of the Administration to administer the territory for the direct benefit of the Samoan people.