SAMOAN AFFAIRS

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 March 1928, Page 8

SAMOAN AFFAIRS

MR. COATES’S REVIEW

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, March 22.. Mr. Coates, in his statement, issued to-day, says he had previously explained that the activities of the Mau, fostered by Messrs Nelson Gurr and Smith, had greatly interfered with the administration of Western Samoa and as a precautionary measure two cruisers were despatched, and after their arrival, an ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council of Samoa, making it illegal to wear the Mau’s uniform or hold public meetings in a defined area surrounding Apia. With the assistance of men from the cruisers, some 400 uniformed members of the Mau were rounded up and charged with intimidation, which is an offence under the ordinary law of Samoa as in New Zealand and elsewhere. They were not imprisoned, but confined on parole, and when tried, were convicted and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. They were addressed on various occasions by the Administrator, who did his utmost to persuade them to reconsider their action, and to take measures he suggested to effect a reconciliation between the two parties into which the Samoan people were split. The Mau, through their spokesman, Tamesese, returned an uncompromising refusal, and insisted on the withdrawal of the New Zealand Administration, and on the Government of Samoa being entirely by Samoans ■ hemselves. Only one reply was possible, and that was made. The prisoners were notified that their demands would not be considered, and he (Mr. Coates) had endorsed the Administrator's statement. Nevertheless, in order to show his desire for reconciliation, the Administrator had decided to suspend the sentences, and release the malcontents on condition that they returned to their homes. They were still recalcitrant, and again began to bold illegal meetings. Tamesese was warned and an attempt was made to arrest him, but not persevered with, as it was not desired to inflict injury on these misguided people. No 'further steps were taken, and the .Mau sul.sequonrlj dispersed peacably to their homes, leaving a committee in Apia to watch events. MR HOLLAND’S REPLY.

WESTPORT, March 23. After he had seen the Prime Minister’s statement this morning, Mr Holland (leader of the Opposition) handed the following to the Press: — The Prime Minister’s statement, just published, and also that of a couple of days ago, while they are wholly misleading as to the causes of the Samoans’ dissatisfaction with the manner in which their country is being governed by New Zealand, and while the facts in connection with the more recent developments are only half-stated, certainly render a service, clearly establishing the complete falsehood of the radiograph which the Administration permitted to be sent out last week attacking myself, and upon which the newspapers supporting the Government based equally misleading attacks. If General Richardson had been relieved of the office of Administrator six or eight months ago, the position in Samoa would have been much more satisfactory today. However, I hope, with the change of Administrators, an element of common sense will be given a chance, and that an endeavour will be made to understand the position from the Samoan viewpoint. But I am convinced that New Zealand cannot regain the confidence of the Samoans without a drastic revision of the policy, which has recently been pursued, the cancellation of all banishment and deportation orders, and the decision to honour every promise made to the Samoans in the name of New Zealand, together with an announcement that there should be no further punishments without a fair trial. This would go far towards bringing about a state of tranquility. While it is a good thing that General Richardson is leaving Samoa, the sending of him to Geneva to present an exparte statement to the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations is a move that will not commend itself.