CHINESE IN SAMOA

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 46, 31 August 1928, Page 14

CHINESE IN SAMOA

TREATMENT OF PRISONERS QUESTIONS BY MB. HOLLAND An explanation of alleged acts of cruelty towards Chinese prisoners in Samoa was sought by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. 11. 13. Holland) in the House of ' Representatives last night. The Leader of tho Opposition (Air. 11. E. Holland) referred to the easo of a Chinese in Samoa who was found guilty of murder and was condemned to death. On tho ■ eve of the execution the Chinese was taken to Apia, placed in a witness box, and subjected to a searching cross-examination lasting ovor six hours. Tho treatment meted out to tho Chinese was most inhuman. There was another case of a Chinese, who, condemned to death, hud strangled himself in his cell. The man was in a very bad state of health, but despite that ho' had been handcuffed, and chained to a staple in the floor of the ceJl. The Chinese in question was most brutally treated. Thcpolico had stated that had they known tho man was going to dio they'would have hanged'him earlier. ' Could anyone imagine a more inhuman statement, asked Mr. Holland, "who said he wanted to know what tho Government hud to say about-it. Mr. Holland said he could not see how it could have been possible for the Chinese to strangle himself when handcuffed and leg-roped, and ,he called on tho Government to conduct tho closest' possible inquiry. The whole matter called for a reply on the part of tho Government. There was yet another case in which ii Chinese who had been condemned to death had been called upon give evidence against another man charged with murder. 'According to his own story, the man had been most brutally treated while in prison in order to drag a confession from him. Tho cases he had quoted must havo been reported to tho Government, and some answer to the charges should be made. Mt. Holland also drew attention to statements which had been made by a member of the Sanioan Police Police,and published in New Zealand, to tho effect that the Samoans were far from being of good character. , . , , Tho Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. J. G. Coates): "What's the use of using anonymous letters liko that? ' v Mr. Holland: "But. tho New Zealand papers go down to -Samoa, and such statements give rise to the utmost irritation in Samoa." Mr. Coates: "I know that, and the honoiuablc . gentleman, knows .it; too.. Mr. Holland said he took strong exception 7to the slanderous* statements which had been made-' by N tho police officer, and expressed regret that' the Government had not repudiated them. In replying, the Prime Minister said thcro was no doubt at all about the guilt of the Chinese who were convicted Cabinet had considered the wliolo matter. , It had been suggested that convicted* men should be sent to JSew Zealand/b'ut'he felt that tho Dominion should not be made the dumping ground for men of that type. . Anything of that kind should be finalised in Samoa. It had been decided to ask the officer in charge of the Department to get what information .of. an official naturo might be available. Mr. Holland: "Did'the Government know that the execution was public?" Mr. Coates: "No, I may say we are asking for information. That is as far as tho inquest is concerned, and the carrying out of the execution. It ia not that' we want an explanation. Wo want official information so we may get a line on the wholo thing and not havo to rely on newspaper reports. At the moment I am not in a position to diacuss it further.'.' In regard to the letter from tho member, of the Samoan Police Force, Mr/ Coates said tho Government could not .' take any notice of anonymous letters. < He paid a tribute to the Administration ot bir George Bicha'rdson, who had been an ideal man for the position.