Stores for Warships

Grey River Argus, 22 February 1928, Page 5

Stores for Warships

LEAVING BY ADMIRALTY OIL TANKER. AUCKLAND, February 21. An expected departure from Auckland at an early date is the Admiralty oil tanker Nucula, for Samoa. In addition to having a large quantity of oil fuel on board for the cruisers ) Dunedin and Diomede, the Nucula is .’ also loading stores to take to Samoa for the two warships. The tanker is berthed at Devonport, and on Thursday the vessel will sign on a crew and later she will take her departure. PREMIER’S STATEMENT. Following the receipt of wireless messages from Samoa, a meeting of Cabinet was held to consider .the situation. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Prime Minister, Mr Coates, made the following statement on Sunday:— “Recent advices received from Western Samoa indicate jthat all efforts to bring about either a reconciliation between the Mau Committee and the loyal section of the native population, or in any way to mitigate ;the defiant attitude of the disaffected chiefs who constitute the centre of the Mau movement in Apia, have failed. “The latest messages from the Adin in is.trat or state that a serious position has arisen, and that any action taken by the official police will be regarded as a signal for general retaliation by the Mau against Europeans, the result therefore, being that ;the enI tire police force is powerless, and the maintenance of peace improbable.

“ I am glad to assure the public that up till the present .time, owing to the patience and forbearance which have been exercised, there have been no actual breaches of the peace, but as danger to life and property might arise if steps are taken to restore ;the normal functions of government without adequate force behind authority, Cabinet has decided, entirely as a precautionary measure to dispatch the cruisers Dunedin and Diomede to the mandated territory. ’ ’

MR. NELSON’S APPEAL. WELLINGTON, February 21. “I consider the despatch of warships to Samoa a very unwise move, which could only have been dictated by a military mind. My purpose In coming to Wellington was to consult counsel, and through him to offer the Government my assistance in the present emergency. My counsel hatf made this offer but it has been ignored by Prime Minister, so in these nir-

cumstanevs 1 have despatched tne fol lowing radio to Mr. Baxter, Counsel for the Mau at Apia: ‘Please inform Samoans that I entreat them to preserve peace at all costs.” This is only following the line of policy which I have adopted to hope the Samoan people will continue to preserve peace, despite intimidation and further repressive measures.” Mr. Nelson leaves this afternoon for Auckland, enroute to England. PREMIER’S REPLY. WELLINGTON, February 21. The Prime Minister’s comment was very brief. ‘‘lt is a matter for regret,” he said, “that Mr Nelson’s proffered good offices were not available many months ago. I have received no communication from him regarding recent events in Samoa.” In connection with ,the Hon. Nelson’s statement of a proffer of help regarding the Samoan situation, the Prime Minister (Hon. Mr Coates) now makes the following statement, which is to supersede all previous statements by him to day. LATER. Th e latest statement by the Hon. O. F. Nelson has been handed to the press. It contains the allegation that an offer made by him ,to assist the Government \ in the present Samoan trouble was ignored.

The reply of the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) is that he knows of no such assistance being offered. “I know of no such assistance being offered,” said the Prime Minister tonight when the Hon. Nelson’s statement was referred to him. “I do know, however, that Sir John Findlay, Counsel for Mr Nelson, rang up one of my secretaries intimating that he wanted to sec me. I did not hear from Sir John Findlay again. As far as Mr Nelson is concerned he inade no attempt to approach me as far as I know. ’ ’

SITUATION QUIET. PROSPECTS OF A SETTLEMENT. AUCKLAND, February 21. The ‘ ‘ Herald’s ’ ’ Samoa correspondent writes from Apia, February 17: — ‘ ‘ The political situation is quiet, although there are signs that the country, is getting tired of the impossible situation. A boycott of stores iA being worked but is does not seem to be worrying people to any great extent. Various devices are used to get bully beef.

“The Administration made advances to the Mau Committee for a conference to setle the differences. Great expectations were held but at the last minute disentents refused to come forward. There is still a prospect of a meeting. It is believed tha T a conference wil bring matters to a head with every prospect of a settlement. The difficulty has been to bring the parties together. The Mau people, at the moment, seem to be following the old formula “Don’t have anything to do with the Administration.” If once contact is brough about well-informed people say a settlement will soon be reached. ’ ’