DEATH ROLL NINE

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 82, 31 December 1929, Page 8

DEATH ROLL NINE

THE SAMOAN RIOTING SIX DIE OF WOUNDS THE LAST OF TAMASESE The death roll of the Samoan riot has now reached nine, the latest advices from Apia indicating that six members of the Mau have since succumbed to wounds. Tamasese, a native high chief, and leader of the Mau, is amongst those dead. The Mau has now dispersed. In response to the urgent summons of the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward), most of the Members will he in Wellington to-day for the meeting of Cabinet, at which the situation will be considered. The Prime Minister yesterday received the following message from the Administrator of Western Samoa (Colonel S. S. Allen), supplementary to the advices received over the weekend :— “Saturday’s casualties, as far as are known, were: — “Police: One killed, six injured (none severely). “Samoans: Eight killed (including those who have died of wounds, and also including Tamasese, who died on Sunday), and twelve wounded, who were treated in hospital. “From 1500 to 2000 Mau paraded on Saturday and about 300 took part in the attack on the police. The attack iasted only a few minutes. Afterwards the Mau hurried off to Vaimoso. The Mau has now’ dispersed, and no further incidents are expected.” GREAT FORBEARANCE ACTION OF POLICE. Commenting on the message, Sir Joseph Ward said that the loss of life as a result of the disturbance was greatly to be deplored, but the information to hand showed conclusively that the police acted with great forbear ance, and the fire-arms were used only as a last resort. Meeting of Cabinet. Cabinet will meet to-day at the Prime Minister’s residence at Heretaunga to discuss the trouble that has developed. All the Ministers were out of town over the week-end, but they are hurrying back to headquarters in response to the .Prime Minister’s summons. Several returned yesterday, and others will arrive this morning, so that there will be a full gathering, with the exception of the Hons. T. K. Sidey and P. A. de la Perrelle, who will be unable to reach Wellington before Thursday. TAMASESE’S SUCCESSOR LEADERSHIP THROUGH ELECTION “Tamasese was an outstanding figure in the Mau, not because of any leadership qualities, but purely because of his name, which ranks as one of the three highest in Samoa,” states a Weliingtonian who has just returned home after a long sojourn in the Mandated Territory. “The three highest chiefly names in Western Samoa,” adds the “Dominion’s” informant, “are Tamasese, Malietoa, and Mata-ofa. Indeed, one of the previous holders of the name Tamasese was a contender for the old Kingship before it was abolished. The present Malietoa and Mata-ofa have been supporters of the Government in the troubles in the Territory, but Tamasese went over to the Mau about two years ago, and because of his name, which must, through its associated title and rank, command a following, he became its acknowledged leader. “The name Tamasese and its title go by election, and not by descent. In due course the family of the late chief will meet to elect a successor, who will probably be a member of the family, and in as near to a direct line as possible, but there is no guarantee of that. It is impossible to say who would be the new Tamasese. Furthermore, the matter may not be decided for months.” ACKNOWLEDGED LEADER OF THE MAU I TAMASESE’S ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT The Higli Chief Lealogi Tamasese was always the acknowledged leader of the Mau, and headed the section of that body which, while not resorting to arms, adopted a policy of peaceful antagonism against the Government, by refusing to pay their taxes. It was this action which brought Tamasese prominently into the forefront of Samoan personalities, and he will be chiefly remembered in-connec-tion with his refusal to pay the taxes demanded of him. Failure to obey the order of the High Court concerning payment brought him a sentence of six weeks’ imprisonment for contempt of court. . His arrest took place in dramatic circumstances early on the morning of November 27, 1928. For days lie had hidden in the bush, while the police were engaged in searching for him, and when he was eventually captured, and Mrs. Tamasese saw him being handcuffed, she rushed forward and pushed the policeman away in an attempt to retain her husband. . .. On a charge of resisting the police, Tamasese received a sentence of six months’ imprisonment, which was to be cumulative upon th« six weeks imposed in respect of the taxes. He was brought to Auckland, and the sentences were served in Mont Eden gaol, from which lie was released in June last. On his return to Apia he received a great welcome from the Mau forces.