SAMOAN SHOOTINGS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 January 1930, Page 7

SAMOAN SHOOTINGS

ANTI-POLICE ALLEGATIONS

SIR J. WARD’S PROMPT ACTION

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, January 17.

When the cablegram received by Mr H. E. Holland from Mr. Frederick Polley, regarding the Apia riot on December 28, was referred to the Prime Minister this afternoon, he indicated that its contents were completely at variance with the official reports which he received. He said that these reports indicate definitely that the first party of four police who were detailed to arrest certain men wanted on warrant for assaulting police (and not for non-pay-ment of taxes) were entirely unarmed with either batons or revolvers. The supporting party of three police was armed with, revolvers, as was also the main covering party who were in reserve at the police station, which party came into action only when first the party was mauled. The official reports are quite clear that there was no shooting whatever before the lives of the police were in imminent danger, and that the police acted with the greatest forbearance and restraint. The crisis was precipitated by the Mau’s action in deliberately flaunting in front of Administration officer men wanted on warrant after 41 specific warning had been issued to the Mau the previous day that these men should not be paraded through the town. The issue plainly was whether or not the law should prevail. The Prime .Minister also stated: Tamasese, who, according to the Press reports, was against the parading of these men, was nevertheless a party to the step that was taken, and though he was amongst the rioters, it is impossible to say, until the conclusion of the inquest, wehther he was, or was not, endeavouring to restrain his followers. It is understood that the, inquest has been postponed for the' production of the Mau evidence. The public should await the result of this inquiry' before accepting as authoritative any version of fact in the meantime. The official reports are as indicated.

With reference to the allegation that the machine gun fire was directed against the natives, Sir Joseph Ward emphasised that the official reports were distinctly to the effect that this was not the case, and that the machine gun fire was never at any time directed against the natives, but was used merely for moral effect, and no casualties whatever had been reported as the result of the machine gun. fire, and the official reports make no reference to the alleged use of these weapons against the women and children, or to any casualties amongst the boys. Sir Joseph added that he was referring to a copy of this message to the Administrator, and that his reply to these very serious allegations would be published immediately on receipt.

ADMINISTRATOR’S DENIALS.

FULL STORY OF INCIDENTS.

WELLINGTON, January 18.

The Prime Minister announced, last night, that a copy of the cablegram to Mr H. E. Holland, M.P., had been transmitted by wireless to the Administrator of Samoa, who had been requested to comment on it point by point. The following is a copy of the Administrator’s reply, received late last night: — “Frederick Polley arrived at Apia by the December voyage of the Tofua, and was employed for ten days by the Public Works Department. He stayed with a native Mau man and left by the last voyage of the Tofua with Skelton.

.“One arrest only was attempted, and the police did not fire until attacked. A Sergeant fell, and was knocked senseless, and others battoned and stoned. No riflemen, police or otherwise, were on the Courthouse verandah. Some police, including Abraham, who had been cut off from the main party ran back down an alley, when Abraham was. killed, and these used revolvers. The Lewis gun fired one burst only over the heads of the crowd down Ifi Ifi street, where, by rifle fire, Tamasese, and one other were fatally injured’, and two others wounded. The Lewis gun fired no burst into Apia native village, but one over the village, and one into the ground in front of the Police Station, to stop an attack from that direction. “No women and children were wounded, or at any time in danger from the fire, and the two boys reported killed were full grown, and one, who had recently been involved in a stoning attack, was shot in Ifi Ifi street.” TAMASESE’S WOUNDS. “Tamasese came from the middle of the procession, and may have tried to stop the attack on the Police Station, but was shot in the road. He was not deliberately sniped, and if he was calling out to the mob, he would use the Samoan language, which Polley does not understand.

“Matau (the man whose arrest was. attempted) and Autagavaia have been both wanted for some time, but never appeared in Apia and were kept hidden by the Mau. “At the inquest Kruse, (an adherent of the Mau) gave evidence that he was warned by Braisby (Inspector of Police), and he, in turn, warned Tamasese, that the wanted men would be arrested if in the procession. “An attempt made by Skelton and others to work up a meeting failed entirely, and I think the general feeling supports me. “Can Polley in Suva know what was published in New Zealand? Please note that the medical evidence shows no person, treated at the hospital, received more than one wound, which discounts the machine gun story. Also Polley could not see both the point where Tamasese was killed and the Apia native village at the same time. “Also in evidence at the inquest, Tuimaleaiifano (one of the leading Mau chiefs) stated that the Mau had warning of the arrest, but nevertheless the wanted men were paraded, and further that the Mau Committee gave instructions to resist arrest if the police went to Vaimoso to arrest Matau or anyone else. A full inquiry

[is being made at the Inquest into all the circumstances, and every opportunity will be given to call evidence. The inquest will probably be finished to-morrow, and I expect the verdict on Saturday.” MR HOLLAND’S STATEMENT WESTPORT, January 18. In reply to the Prime Minister’s statement, Mr Holland said that the official reports referred to were ex parte statements of those ' whose outstanding blunder were responsible for the tragedy of December 28 and, who had exercised the power of censorship to prevent any radiographed version other than their own from coming through. Whatever additional report might be obtained from the same source would obviously be of the same nature as those already received. If it was true, as the Prime Minister contended, that the Mau was warned not to allow the wanted men to appear at the welcome, that itself would be conclusive proof of a criminal blunder committed by whoever gave the. order for the arrests, for it would demonstrate that it was officially recognised that trouble would follow any attempt to make arrests on such an occasion. The postponement of inquests allegedly to permit evidence to be given by members of the dVLau was farcical, since the Administration had already taken steps that would ’ effectively prevent evidence from that source.

“The amazing refusal of safe conduct for witnesses meant that any Samoan who appeared to give evidence would be liable to be arrested either for belonging to the Man, which had been stupidly proclaimed a seditious organisation, or on isome charge arising out of non-payment of the now defunct head tax, or other native tax. The Administration with a clear conscience would have been expected to clear away all obstacles that would prevent evidence from any source being made available. The construction which Samoans would place on the refusal of safe conducts was obvious.”

A CHIEF ARRESTED.

(Special to P.A. by Radio.)

APIA, January 17.

Chief Tuimalaeliifano returned from the bush into Leauvaa village yesterday and was arrested. He was brought to Apia where he was charged with wearing the Mau lavalava at the native court at Mulinuu, and,was remanded for a week. A further five wanted men were arrested in the bush at Leauvaa yesterday and are now in custody at Apia. A seaplane made a reconnoitring flight east and west of Apia yesterday. This is the first time a British seaplane has been seen at Apia and it caused l the greatest interest. The machine will be reconnoitering again today.