NEW ADMINISTRATOR

Grey River Argus, 23 March 1928, Page 5

NEW ADMINISTRATOR

FOR WESTERN SAMOA — Military Officer Appointed Wellington; March 22. Mr Coates announced to-day that General Richardson w ill return to Wellingt in early in April, for consultation Ai'ith the Government, before proceeding to Geneva as one representative Ol New Zealand before the FerI znanent Mandates Committee. I The Premier said the Government wished to express their appreciation of the conspicuous ability shown by General Richardson. The Government has appointed as new Administrator, Lt. Col. 8. S. Allen, of Morrinsviile, and until he takes over the duties, Colonel Hutchen, the present Deputy Administrator, will act. The Government considered that the new Administrator possessed qualities of personality, itaetj. patience and firmness required of New Zealand’s administration, if its trust ship is to b e carried on without recourse to jristic. measures. Mr Coates detailed the activities of the Mau, fostered by Messrs Nelson, Gurr. Smith and theireassociates, and Hie efforts of conciliation by the Adainistration. COATES’ BELATED STATEMENT. RECENT EVENTS REVIEWED. WELLINGTON, March 22. Mr Coate-, 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’ imprison ment.- They were addressed on various ( c.casions 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, Tramesese, returned an uncompromising refusal, and insisted on the withdrawal of the New Zealand Administration, and on the Government of Samoa, being entirely by Samoans themselves. Only one reply was possible, and that was made. The prisoners were notified that their demands would, not be considered, and he (Mi 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 reaLse that lua Icontents on condition that they returned to their homes. They were still recalcitrant, and again began to hold 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 subsequently dispensed peacably to their homes, leaving a committee in Apia to watch events.