SAMOA.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19462, 8 November 1928, Page 10

SAMOA.

ONLY ONE GOVERNMENT.

PLAIN SPEAKING BY MR COATES.

[THB PRESS BpeeW Borrlc*.]

LEVIN, November 7. "The Samoans have got to realise that New Zealand is going to govern Samoa," the Prime Minister said tonight in the course of his speech to the electors.

A voice: The big stick! "You cannot say that," the Prime Minister replied. "If ever tolerance and patience have been shown to these people we have shown it. No one can quote a case where we have üßed the big stick. We have had enormous power in Parliament, and we have used it, but we have never abused it.

A voice: Yes. Sending away a man without trial.

The Prime Minister: No man had a fairer trial than Mr Nelson.

Mr Coates recalled the judgment of the Eoyal Commission, and said that if there wore rebels in the island the Government would take action. It was unfortunate that in New Zealand there were politicians, one especially, who were happy only when they were mixed up with revolution, and that was the natural instinct of one of them. A voice: That is not funny.

The Prime Minister: "No, it is not funny; it is serious." He had not said a great deal about Samoa. Everyone knew where he stood, but if they wanted Samoa then some people would get hit very badly.