NELSON TRIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 46, 23 February 1934, Page 8

NELSON TRIAL.

ACTIVITIES OF MAU. INSPECTOR FELL IN BOX. TAXIS HIRED IN SAMOA. (By Radio.—rress Association.) APIA, February 21. The hearing of the case, against Olaf Frederick Nelson was resumed in the High Court at Apia to-day. Defendant is charged with breaches of the Samoan Seditious Organisations Regulations. Inspector Fell, continuing his evidence, said there had been no visible signs of the Mau since his return to Samoa in 1932, (he official Mau uniform having been absent. He was unable, to shy that no resistance had been shown since the return of defendant. The latters general reputation in Samoa and abroad was that of the leader of the Man: Witness was a member of the New Zealand police who were seconded for duty in Samoa. He had had experience in prosecution for seditious offences in the Dominion. The methods and aims of Communists there and the Mau in Samoa were simliar. both professing the desire for the overthrow of the Government, constitutionally keeping the peae? but ignoring the law. The result was that clashes occurred whenever the police enforced the law. He had heard Communist speakers claim brotherhood with the Mau. Obviously if no police action had been taken recently and the Mau had been allowed (o continue flouting the law, there was a possibility of similar trouble to that in 1929 occurring 12 to 18 months hence.

Witness said lie recognised that the leader of a movement of a seditions nature was morally responsible for consequent developments, even if they were unforeseen. His experience proved that matters frequently passed beyond the control of leaders, inevitably resulting in trouble. Mau activity declined in the middle of 1930 to normal, but it increased following the return of Nelson. The indications were that unless it were checked it would be liable to result in a, condition in which peace would be possible only if the police authorities were indifferent to the breaking of the law. If the Samoans were given self-govern-ment it would result in reversion to the practices of former native parliaments, leading to strife, dissension, village quarrels and knifings. Comparison with New Zealand. Witness expressed the belief that the present instances proved the inability of Samoans to conduct affairs peacefully. Knifings were more common on the basis of percentages of population in Samoa than in New Zealand. Samoans were not ready to control affairs by popular vote. Questioned regarding riots in Wellington and Auckland in 1932, witness said he was present in Wellington at the time. The police fired no shots. An adequate force existed to control the situation. Defendant argued that Samoans wore Communists. > The Chief Judge, Mr. J. 11. Luxford, observed that the Russian and Samoan systems were as diflerent as chalk and cheese. There was no comparison between New Zealand and Samoa, as the people of the Dominion were less inclined in favour of unlawful practices, which were prevented by special regulations here! Inspector Fell said he did not believe the Mau was genuinely anxious to meet the Administrator recently. The reason given for the. failure of the conference was insufficient Such a fono, if ever held, and should a settlement follow, would be the best solution. Objection to Documents. Tuala Tuio, a Mau member, who was arrested at the Savaii malaga, denied any political aims in the . malagas, whereupon Mr. McCarthy produced documents signed by witness and other members of the Mau committee which he alleged proved the contrary. The defence objected to the admission of the documents and the matter was deferred, the police calling a witness to prove that the documents were found in the possession of a member of the Savaii malaga. Witness admitted that the document seized was read to him in the Mau office by the secretary, Matau, prior to departure for the malaga. The accountant of the Cold Star Transport Company produced books showing Mau accounts for taxi hire in August, October and November. The data disclosed increasing visits by the Mau to defendant's residence, journeys between Apia, Vaimoso, Lelca and Tuaefu, also much standing time at the Tuaefu, These and buses were used to convey the malaga party. Luatuanuu paid from the Mali's funds. The defence protested that the witness' unexpected evidence had not been listed. m The trial is proceeding.