POSITION IN SAMOA

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 51, 28 August 1930, Page 14

POSITION IN SAMOA

NO MATJ MOVEMENT

RESISTANCE DIMINISHING

The present position in Samoa was outlined by the Minister of External Affairs in the House ,of Representatives yesterday afternoon in reply to a question addressed to him by the Rev; Clyde Carr (Labour, Timaru).

Mr. Carr asked the Minister (1) whether there are at present any military police in Samoa; (2) whether the Mau has been definitely disbanded; (3) whether the natives aro still pursuing a policy of passive resistance towards the Administration; (4) whether any natives—men or women—are in prison or banishment for political offences.

The Minister replied that the Samoa Military Police as such were disbanded in April, 1929, and were replaced by the Samoa Constabulary. There were no concentrations of the Mau and no other signs of Mau activity. "Passive resistance," lie ' said, "is rapidly diminishing. We are advised by the Administrator that for all practical purposes there is at present no Mau movement in the territory, and I trust that this encouraging situation will be allowed to develop. lam not aware of the exact meaning of the honourable member's reference to 'political offences,' and it will be understood that since this Government took office there have been no 'banishments/ and no person has been imprisoned except by due process of law after fair trial, with the right of representation by counsel. No Samoan has been sußject to a 'banishment' order during the past two years, and no such order has been made since 1927. The following Samoans are, however, still serving sentences of imprisonment imposed by the High Court in respect of the offences indicated; Offences against the maintenance of authority in Native Affairs. Ordinance,- 5j offences against the Samoa Seditious Organisations Regulations, 7. No Samoan woman has ever been subject to a 'banishment' order,, and no Samoan woman is in prison.'' • '