O. F. NELSON TRIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 9, 11 January 1934, Page 14

O. F. NELSON TRIAL.

CROSS-EXAMINATION. MAU'S DEBT TO DEFENDANT. NEWSPAPER CRITICISED. (By Itadio.—Press Association.) APIA, January 10. When the hearing of the charge against Olaf Frederick Nelson of bleaches of the Samoan Seditious Organisations Regulations was resumed in the High Court to-day, the crossexamination of Police-Inspector Braisby was continued by Nelson, who is conducting his own case. Defendant asked'if witness considered the Government attitude hurt his business at home and abroad. The Chief Judge, Mr. J. H. Luxford: You would not have been deported unless your attitude was harmful to the Government. Witness agreed that the Mau expenditure showed a large sum owing to Nelson. Witness was not present when the Mau president gave evidence. The Man's private debt to Nelson was £20,000. He would say the editorial policy of the Mau newspaper, was dictated by defendant although the latter 'might disapprove of some of the articles. The Chief Judge remarked that according to documentary evidence Nelson's money kept the paper going. Witness believed the defendant was the holder of 20 out of a total of 100 one pound shares. The Chief Judge asked witness if he had ever heard of a bona-fide news-' paper published for profit with a capital of only .-CIOO. Witness: No. The Chief Judge asked if the paper wero likely to attract subscribers among common sense and right thinking members of the community. Witness: No. He would say the Samoan "Guardian" was an instrument of evil in Samoan affairs because certain articles written were deceptive. Defendant produced a draft of a Christmas message for the December issue, written presumably by himself, and found in his residence. He read the Christmas wishes and quoted an extract from the Lord's Prayer. He asked witness if that was an evil influence. Witness read the next paragraph in which native pastors and eatechists were exhorted that unless they read the Mau paper to the old and young of both sexes in the villages they were failing in their duty. Nelson referred to the "New Zealand Worker" and asked if that paper were an evil influence 111 New Zealand. The Chief Judge stated that 110 proper comparison could be drawn between New Zealand and Samoa. ■ The hearing was adjourned after witness had rend a confidential report of speeches made in August, '-1931, when a party of Mau leaders from Savaii were visiting Upolu in an attempt to meet the Governor and discuss grievances. CHANGE ADVOCATED. ADMINISTRATION OF SAMOA. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. The conference of the Xo More War movement concluded to-day. Most of the time was occupied with a discussion 011 Samoa, arid a resolution was passed asking for changes in the administration of Samoa, including the replacement of the Administrator with military qualifications by a civilian, and the recognition of the Mau as a legal organisation.