LETTER FROM MAU.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 47, 25 February 1935, Page 9

LETTER FROM MAU.

GBIEVANCES BEITEBATED

Mr. 0. F. Nelson stated to-day that the Samoan national organisation known as Ole Mau, which claims to be representative of the large majority of the Samoan people, extended a cordial welcome to the Duke of Gloucester on the occasion of his visit to Samba. The organisation stated that it was its earnest hope that the mandatory Government would have given due consideration to long-standing and oftrepeated complaints and removed harsh laws so that they could have participated in the welcome function. The organisation expressed the hope that the Duke's visit would be interesting and successful.

In a letter to the Administrator the organisation repeated regret that the conditions still existing in Samoa did not permit of the Mau's participation in the welcome reception for the Duke. The letter added: "The ceremony to be held at the clock tower only reminds us that the man who presented that memorial and paid for most of the cost of the tower is now in exile from his native country because of the harsh laws against which we have complained for so long without avail. We feel confident that should His Royal Highness desire it the whole of our petitions and prayers for the redress of our gri6vances will be placed before him."