SAMOA AWAITS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 113, 14 May 1936, Page 9

SAMOA AWAITS.

NEW ZEALAND ENVOY. RETURN OF MR. IMELSON. amnesty by the king? (From Our Own Correspondent.) APIA, May 1. The arrival of a representative of the New Zealand Government within the next two months, as promised bv the Prime Minister, the Kt. Hon. M. J. Savage, to investigate Samoan affairs will be greatly welcomed by all residents, European and Samoan alike. A great many important problems wait solution, among them being the unemployment problem, the land question, the creation of advisory boards, the making of road*, and many other issues of vital importance. The European residents are already preparing for the visit, and the Planters Association as well as the Chamber of Commerce intend to call meetings of their members with a view to discuss in what way their respective wishes are to be placed before the New Zealand Government's representative. Later a general citizens' meeting is to be called to sound the views of the general public. The Hon. A. G. Smyth, M.L.C., and the Hon. I. H. Carruthers, M.L.C, have undertaken the leadership of the European settlers. The message sent to the people of Samoa by the Prime Minister asks for. the good will and co-operation of the Samoans, and as evidence of the good intentions of the New Zealand Government, states that the latter is prepared to facilitate the return of Mr, Nelson, the Mau leader in exile. This latter intimation was preceded by a wireless message, sent over a week previously by -Mr, Nelson himself, and by which he informed his firm, his family and the Mau that he had been assured of his unconditional return to Samoa by the Prime Ministei.

This wireless message of Mr. Nelson's caused somewhat of a sensation among (lie natives, 11 Hi' the fact that it preceded tho Prime Minister's message caused ■surprise to European residents. It is believed that Jir. Nelson's return may be made possible by his inclusion in a general amnesty which may be granted by Ilis Majesty the King 011 his first birthday after his ascension to the Throne.