SAMOAN AFFAIRS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 191, 15 May 1928, Page 10

SAMOAN AFFAIRS

MAU AND ITS ACTIVITIES MILITARY POLICE CREATE IMPRESSION Dominion Special Service. Auckland, May 14. Samoa has been particularly quiet during' the past six weeks, according to information received in Auckland yesterday, when the Government steamer, Tutanekai, returned from the Pacific Islands with a party of 58 Royal Marines, of the H.M.S. Dunedin and the Diomede. This contingent of naval men, in charge of Commander J. 11. Godfrey, of the H.M.S. Diomede, and Captain E. Bowring, Royal Marines from the H.M.S. Dunedin, was left at Samoa to await the arrival of the special contingent of New Zealand military police, which sailed from Auckland on April 21. While at Samoa, the Tutanekai acted as a troopship, the additional accommodation provided both above and below proving quite comfortable. “The military police we transported to Apia were a fine body of men, and they seemed to enjoy their seven days’ voyage to Samoa,” said Captain Rollons. Several concerts, which had been arranged by Mr. K. Melvin, who accompanied the contingent as Y.M.C.A. representative, were given on the way down, several members of the company proving themselves as entertainers. Inquiries by a reporter showed that, although the .Mau still has a large following, this body, now almost entirely composed of young men, lias greatly restricted its active operations. The arrival of the special detachment of military police at Apia on April 2S was a complete surprise to many of the Natives. The military policecreated a distinct impression on the Mau, and, as was also the case with the arrival of Royal Marines, no open show of force was made. The Natives wondered why such a force should be sent among them, but they were quickly reassured. The reception accorded the six Auckland constables who were dispatched to Apia before the warships arrived, was not quite so cordial. Shortly after their arrival, several of the constables were openly insulted, one constable having to take strong measures with a Native who questioned his authority, and attempted attack him. The Native was quickly knocked to the ground. Since this incident, conditions in Samoa have been much more settled. There is a large majority of loyal Natives, the elder Natives not being at all willing to join the agitating faction.