SAMOA JUDGMENT

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 200, 21 May 1931, Page 9

SAMOA JUDGMENT

Appeal in Sedition Case

COMPANY GRANTED LEAVE

(By Radio.—Special to the P.A.) (Rec. May 20, 7.30 p.m.)

Apia, May 19.

The Nelson Company this day was granted leave to appeal against the judgment of April 21, and execution was stayed against the fine of £5600. Security on the appeal was fixed at. £lOO.

In January, in the Samoan High Court, the Nelson Company, Ltd., was charged under the Maintenance of Authority in Native Affairs Ordinance, 1928, with being in possession of £238 paid into the office on behalf of the Samoan Men’s Committee, said to be moneys relating to a native organisation not being of a religious or charitable nature approved by the Administrator. The company was also charged with participating in activities and receiving moneys on behalf of the Mau. and issuing receipts contrary to section three of the Seditious Organisations Ordinance, 1930. On April 22 Judge Luxford convicted the company under the Seditious Organisations Ordinance, inflicting a fine of £2OO in respect of each charge, the lines totalling £5600: and on the second series of charges under the Maintenance of Authority in Native Affairs Ordinance, the prosecution withdrew the charges. In summing up, the Judge strongly condemned the defendant company. ..