SAMOAN UNREST.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19285, 14 April 1928, Page 15

SAMOAN UNREST.

N.Z. POLICY BLAMED. A SYDNEY CRITIC. IVNITF.D TRESS ASSOCIATION —BT ELECTRIC TELEURAm— COrVKIGBT.) SYDNEY. April 13. Mr C. Buchanan, an insurance assessor, who has returned from a visit to Samoa, trenchantly criticised New Zealand's Sanioan policy. Ho said New Zealand made a terrible mistake when it sent . warships to Samoa. The natives were following a peaceful picketing policy which would be tolerated in any country in the world except Italy. New Zealanders from the warships landed in full lighting equipment, and were met on the beach by 400 aged men and women, who neither offered nor intended to offer resistance. Samoa was quiet now, but was still full of discontent. Mr Buchanan spoke to Chief Tatnasese, who said the natives would refuse to cut any copra if the traders became tax-collectors under the scheme proposed by Mnjor-General Sir George 1? ichnrdson. The island was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new Administrator. — Australian Press. Association. AN ALARMIST REPORT. (By Radio—Special to Press Association.) (Received April 13(h, o.la p.m.) APIA, April 12. Yesterday, in Letogo village, near Apia, three members of the community who had given umbrage to the others by joining the Mau, had their taro patches rooted up, and were driven from tho village in accordance with Faa, a Samoa n custom of banishment. The occurrence was magnified by alarmist reports, but the European police who went out found the village peaceful and wholly pro-administra-tion, as previously, though asserting the white man had too many laws, and insufficient action.