SAMOAN ENQUIRY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 October 1927, Page 5

SAMOAN ENQUIRY.

PROCEEDINGS CONCLUDED. (Special to Press Assn, by Radio.) APIA, October 28. Mr Meredith continued his address. He contended that the so-called banishments by the Administration were necessary, as a revolution was apparent with the risk of bloodshed following if the position were not grappled resolutely. He asserted that the committee had substantiated no serious complaints which were mostly based on incomplete facts and highly fantastic. Mr Baxter, for the Citizens’ Committee, in a three hours’ address, said it was unfair for the Administration to compete in copra against the merchants who had invested huge capital in the development of the same. It was not shown that the merchants had exploited the natives. He admitted that the committee’s allegations regarding the Administration’s finance were erroneous in some respects, but not that they were deliberately erroneous. Not a tittle of evidence was produced to show that the Natives were mislead by these errors. He contended that striking evidence was given by the Natives. He disputed the medical tax and division of land, and alleged that the Crown was tactless in handling the whole affair, and changed an ordinary situation into the existing state of affairs. Mr Slipper asked the Commission to request the New Zealand Government to lift Prohibition to some extent. He alleged that there was nothing to warrant the wholesale banishment effected. The enquiry has ended.