SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 287, 3 December 1932, Page 12

SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

DEPORTEES' RETURN. PRIME MINISTER INTERVIEWED PRESENT STATE OF LAW. (Published by Arrangement.) The term of five years' deportation from Samoa imposed on Messrs. O. F. Nelson and E. W. Gurr by Major-, General Richardson in 1927 expires this month, and the leading Samoans approached. the present Administrator— Brigadier-General H. E. Hart —asking for guarantees that when they,meet the deportees on their return there shall be no repetition of the tragedy that occurred when another deportee, Mr. A. G. Smyth, returned in 1929. BrigadierGeneral Hart declined the request, but in a statement in Parliament the Prime Minister said the Government would welcome the deportees' return to Samoa, that the Government was not looking for trouble, mid would not cause any; that the past would not be brought up; and that, as it was desirable to create an amicable atmosphere, everything possible would be done to bring that about. Following this statement, Mr. Nelson met Mr. Forbes in Wellington on November 23, when Mr. C. A. Berendsen, Secretary of External Affairs, and Mr. F. W. Schramm, legal adviser to Mr. Nelson, were also present. Mr. Nelson thanked the Prime Minister for the interview, and, after stating the circumstances surrounding the deportations in 1927, he referred to the statement made in Parliament of the Government's attitude towards the return home of the deportees, and reminded Mr. Forbes of the fatal tragedy, which resulted in the deaths of 11 Samoans and one military policeman when Mr. Smyth returned in 1929. Law of Sedition. To avoid a recurrence, the Samoans had asked for assurances from BrigadierGeneral Hart that there would be no more bloodshed, but these were refused, and the Prime Minister had declined to give any guarantees. In fact, Mr. Forbes had suggested that any trouble would be due to the deportees, although no one had suggested blaming Mr. .Smyth for the previous tragedy. Mr. Nelson pointed out that at the present time many Samoans were "wanted" for nonpayment of the obsolete poll tax, and by an Order-in-Council of 1929 the

Administrator had been given power to proclaim the meeting of two or more persons a "seditious organisation," and the overwhelming majority of the Samoans were still proclaimed seditious persons. Anyone meeting them would be breaking the law. Another law prohibited the Samoans from leaving their villages without permits from the military police. These laws had resulted in many Samoans being gaoled, but latterly the authorities had shut their eyes to breaches. The laws, however, were still there, and could be enforced with every severity on any occasion. The whole position was most unfair, and if these laws were not repealed they could be suspended on the deportees' arrival, and Mr. Nelson asked Mr. Forbes for assurances that this would be done. Mr. Nelson pointed out that, according tp the existing law in Samoa, he would be a law-breaker if on his arrival he met or greeted any member of the seditioris organisation known as the Mail. If he accepted an invitation to a feast or any other peaceful function given in his honour on his return to his native country, he would immediately offend. The law would be broken for him, and not by him. Similarly offences would be committed by Samoans moving from village to village, or if he discussed politics with Samoans other than in praise of the Government. Administering the Law.

In reply, Mr. Forbes said he saw no need to give any assurances. The laws had to be obeyed, and the present Administrator was a tactful man who would do what was right. No one could come to New Zealand and ask to be exempt from obedience to the laws, and it was unreasonable to ask for sueli guarantees. Mr. Nelson pointed out that such laws as he hud referred to would not be tolerated in New Zealand for one day. Mr. Forbes replied that they were in force in Samoa and had to be obeyed, or the Government would take steps to enforce them.

Mr. Nelson said such laws would never produce the confidence and rcspect of the Samoans towards New Zealand, and the Prime Minister replied that was a matter of opinion. He relied on the reports of the Administrator. He added that Mr. Nelson had embroiled the territory long enough, and would not be allowed ' to do so again. Mr. Nelson took strong exception to such a remark, and pointed out there had been no trial before his deportation; also that the Royal Commission of 1927 had found there was no evidence that Mr. Nelson had been concerned with political propaganda among the natives. Mr. Nelson 6aid the Prime Minister had no right to accuse liim of offences with which he had never been charged or tried. Mr. Forbes then said he believed in deportation without trial, and would like it to be always the law. He added that neither himself nor the present Administrator had deported anyone. Mr. Nelson reminded Mr. Forbes tiiat both the present Government and Administrator had perpetuated the deportations to the end, and had not repudiated their predecessors. Mr. Forbes then said his predecessors had acted rightly. Mr. Forbes complained of the untruths 1 contained in Mr. Nelson's paper, the I ''New Zealand Samoa Guardian," and its | views, which were not helpful. Mr. 1 Nelson replied that he was only a diree- I tor in the "Guardian" Company, and I others had a voice in its views. He, 1 however, accepted responsibility for his 1 own articles, which were always signed. | If Mr. Forbes would point "out any 1 untruth, he was confident the "Guar- 1 dian" would make the fullest withdrawal 1 and apologies. Mr. Forbes then said 1 he did not read the "Guardian," but had | been informed of the nature of its con- | tents; in fact, he had also forgotten B Mr. Nelson's existence altogether. He | said Mr. Nelson had claimed to be the 1 most influential man in Samoa, and 1 had used that power to keep the place I in a perpetual ferment Mr. Nelson 1 denied that he had said any such thing I or acted in such a fashion, and said not 1 one shot was fired nor was there one | clash with the police until after It left | the territory. Mr. Nelson asked could he receive a §t copy of the shorthand report of the I interview, as he had spoken without j I notes and h*id taken none. Mr. Forbes ! i said the notes were for his own infor- i I mation, and no copy could be supplied. ' ff On his return Mr. Nelson again wrote 0 Mr. Forbes setting out his recollection of 1 what passed, and expressing his sincere I and real regret that the attitude of the § Government as set out by its head was

so uncompromising and unfriendly, and in no way conducive to that "amicable atmosphere" which Mr. Forbes had assured Parliament was the Government's wish. All efforts to induce the Government to agree to a round table conference had been rejected by the Government, which was obviously still determined .to maintain its. harsh and drastic laws in* Samoa, and back them up with all the armed force at its disposal. Such a policy in civil administration was a sign of weakness and not of strength. He again urged Mr. Forbes to reconsider the Government's attitude.