MORE FORCES

Grey River Argus, 5 February 1930, Page 5

MORE FORCES

FOR SAMOA To Crush the Mau (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 4

The Prime Minister announced to- • day that, in view of the necessity to bring the present situation in Samoa : to a. satisfactory termination as speedily as possible, the Government have decided to take steps to prepare a sufficient force of military police for despatch to the territory, should the circumstances require it; and, in par- 1 ticular, if it becomes necessary to relieve 11.M.5. “Dunedin.” It will be some weeks before the police will be ready to leave New Zealand, and it is hoped that the events which will transpire during that period may render it unnecessary for the force to be despatched. Tjic Government in Samoa s challenged by the Mau, and as a

result of the Mau’s organized activities. warrants for arrest on original charges have not been executed. The authority of the Administration must be asserted, and law and order in the territory must be maintained. This cannot be brought about until there is a complete cessation of the Mau movement. and there is now no alternative but to secure that objective. It would be well for those who are in sympathy with the Mau to recognise this, and if they are genuinely anxious for the restoration of harmony in the terri-

tory, they can best contribute to that end by counselling the abandonment of the Mau, when the way will be open for a discussion and redress of any grievances that may be found co exist.

The Hon. Mr Cobbe is leaving for the territory next week. MR POLLEYY’S STATEMENTS. AUCKLAND, February 3. Mr 1 rederick Polley writes: “In reply to the .statement made by Co>onel Allen, Administrator of Western Samoa, that he has proof that I did not s'ee the riot in Apia on 28th. December, I wish to state that I hfice given a sworn declaration under the Justices of the Peace Act that I did The declaration embodies all the state.-’ ments made in my cablegram to Mill. E. Holland, M.P., together with subsequent statements made by me and published in the Press.” Mr Polley corrects a slight error made in the published summary of his previous statement. It read: ”1 have not met Mr Hall Skelton since,” whereas the statement was that he had met him. AUCKLAND, February 4. The decision on t-hc application for an adjournment of the, case Nelson v. ‘‘Herald” was deferred by Justice Herdman till to-morrow. The Judge was informed by Mr Hail Skelton that a radiogram had been sent to Samoa, requesting the Administrator to allow plaintiff’s witnesses to come to the Dominion. A reply is awaited. \ SUVA, February 4. I Alport Barker, proprietor of the

“Fiji Tinies.” has purchased a constrolling interest in the “Samoa Times. ” At a meeting of creditors of A. M. Brooziak Ltd., Suva, it was reported (hat the capital had been lost. The second diebontureriiolf Iters will* lose about £BOOO. The deficiency with unsecured creditors is £12,700. No divid( nd is expected.