SAMOAN DISPUTE

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 June 1927, Page 2

SAMOAN DISPUTE

REPLY TO MR NOSWORTHY. (Aus. ’■•alian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received 11.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, June 25. Mr L. Stewart, manager of the Nelson Company, Island Traders, in reply to statements made by Hon. W. Nosworthy regarding the Samoan administration, said that from Mr Nosworthy’s statements one would conclude sedition had occurred as the result of the agitation by the Citizens’ Committee. The administrator, with the advice of the Legislative Council, could make laws, which were passed into force without the approval of the New Zealand Government, though the latter had power to veto any ordinance within one year. The Legislative Council is composed of official and unofficial members. At the present time the unofficial members are in a minority of one, and any proposal made by them which does not meet with the approval of the Government is rejected. The Native Advisory Council was selected by the Administrator without reference to the natives themselves, and hereditary traditions and rights which have been jealously guarded were overlooked. The Citizens’ Committee contended that it is desirable to return to the original practice of the people in nominating their own representatives for a fixed period. It had petitioned for the repeal of laws imposing punishment upon offenders without trial • before constitutional courts. It had sought the abolition of the medical tax imposed upon all natives, and opposed the regulations which restrained without good cause a Samoan from travelling or dwelling in any village other than his own. At all meetings the committee had advised strict obedience to the law and had exhorted the people to rely upon receiving justice in all matters, on which the committee was striving to secure a change. Mr Stewart said the cable received from Samoa stated that the Administrator had sent away to Apolima two high chief members of the committee to await his pleasure. “It is,” he added, “as much as the committee can do to prevent serious trouble, which (he action of the Administrator is likely to precipitate.”