NELSON TRIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 68, 21 March 1934, Page 5

NELSON TRIAL.

CONCLUDING STAGES. SELF-GOVERNMENT SOUGHT. accused addresses the COURT. (By a Special Correspondent.) APIA, March 13. The trial of O. F. Nelson was the longest in the somewhat turbulent history of Samoa and lasted 31 days. When the addresses were made to the Court towards the end of the long-drawn legal struggle the court building was crowded. There were a large number of native high chiefs and Mau leaders, and a touch of colour was given by the bright lavalavas worn by the members of the Mau women s committee. Mi. Nelson's five daughters had followed the trial closely; one of them was stenographer for the Court. Mr. Nelson was a sick man, but he stood the long trial well to the end j but at times showed signs of nervous te The n Crown Prosecutor, Mr. McCarthy said that the accused had not pa any witnesses on his own behalf and for 7 the defence. All relevant facts had been placed before the Court. _ The evidence before the Royal Commission in 1927 showed that at that time existed no hostile feebng agamst Administration among the Sloans. After UK Nel»n " o " S £r Zealand, General torn Wtag*. g-rw" ForbJ, ,Ser rf ErfSnal Affair., statwithout agitation no trouble X "hmild arise in Samoa, but that in case breach of the law the Governa not hesitate to take enerig&SiSaS paid to them, -- —

In conclusion, the Crown Prosecutor said that the net result of the trial could be summed up as follows: (1) To substantiate the finding of the Royal Commission that Nelson was the head of the Mau; (2) that the deportation of Nelson in 1932 was justified; (3) that Nelson was not only head of the Mau then, but continued to act as such, and to-day was still head of the Mau. British Justice. Addressing the Court, accused said he had been pointed out as author and instigator of all the Samoan troubles, fostering dissatisfaction with Zealand Administration. The conditions prevailing for many years and the policies followed, no British white community would tolerate. The fundamental basis of British justice as well as the public's sense of right and wrong were violated. >The Europeans demanded changes in Government formerly, which the Samoans asked for later on. Accused traversed the evidence at great length and said discontent was rife when the New Parliamentary party visited Samoa in 1920. The annual reports of the Mandated Territory had stated that the Government's policy was to keep Samoa for the Samoans and blend the best features of British law with Samoan customs. The authority given to the fiapule by General Richardson was used by them for personal aggrandisement. A section of the Europeans sympathised with the Samoans and the Mau.

Judo-e Luxford: There is nothing wrong with. Europeans sympathising with °Samoans generally. Accused: The Samoans are the _Mau. Proceeding, he said that his consistent policy was to keep the peace and avoid disorderliness. He had been accused of treason and rebellion since the 'beginning of the trouble, but striving for self-government was not rebellion. judrre Luxford: Samoans are at present not ready for self-government, and agitation for self-government is therefore illegal. _ . Accused: It is a matter of opinion whether Samoans are ready or not. Men in Ireland who were formerly considered rebels and condemned to death were now leaders of the nation. As reported earlier, Nelson was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment and exiled for ten years.