SAMOA.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19062, 26 July 1927, Page 8

SAMOA.

COMMITTEE'S ACTIVITIES.

PERNICIOUS PROPAGANDA ALLEGED.

[THB PRESS Special Service.]

WELLINGTON, July 25. What occurred at the interview the chairman of the Samoan Citizens Committee had with the Prime Minister last week is disclosed in statements made by the Hon. Mr Nelson and the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, to-day. Mr Nelson said: "In reply to the remarks made by me to the Prune Mm ister on July 21st in an jntf m^' A ? which the Minister for External At fairs and another Minister of the Crown were present, Mr Coatesi stated, among other things,. that the «ew Zealand Government is. not P re P"?T to discuss with the Citizens' Commit tee the suggestion of a further myestrgation untS the Citizens' Committee has done its very best to get" the natives and the conditions in Samoa dww to normal. The P«me Minister stated that the members of the pitiaens Committee were off side, and it w» necessary that they should get on Biae, and trust to the New Zealand Government to investigate the matter when conditions were normal again. Replying to the statement quotea above, the Prime Minister said: "Generally speaking, Mr Nelson s remarks are correct. His reference, however to a promised investigation is inaccurate What 1 said was that the Citizens' Committee must show their bona fides in some more substantial manner than bv a mere statement in the Samoan Press requesting their supporters to remain tranquil and to obey the laws. The committee were advised that they must be as active in repairing the damage done as thev had been in creating it. I added thakwhen that had been done, those concerned must rely on the New Zealand Government's sens© of fair play."

Beport from Administrator. The Minister for External Affairs (Mr Nosworthy) informed a reporter to-day that on Sunday the following radiogram had been received from the Administrator of Samoa: "Upolu tour completed. One or two villages in each district, and a. few natives in other villages, influenced by Nelson's committee, not to appear before me and submit complaints. To obviate this disrespect in Savaii, natives have asked me to defer my tour to their island until some Europeans have been punished, which would end the matter. Burns, Philp, and Co. have complained that the main committee is endeavouring to boycott their own and other stores in favour of those firms that have participated in the agitation. Daily interest is revealing no complaints, but native minds pave been disturbed, and 1 they are waiting until they receive decision from Nelson. Authority of native officials has been seriously undermined by natives' attitude of passive resistance, resulting from instructions circulated by committee. Punishments are light, and only being awarded where absolutely necessary. All punishments awarded since Minister's visit are due entirely to work of Nelson and his committee. General opinion of both Europeans and Samoansis this administration too lenient in its punishment of Samoans, and lack of power to punish Europeans' is prolonging trouble. Have cancelled licenses of two traders in Upolu for spreading pernicious propaganda amongst natives."