SEDITION IN SAMOA

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 2 December 1933, Page 9

SEDITION IN SAMOA

CONVICTION OF EIGHT CHIEFS DISCLOSURES AT THE TRIAL. JUDGE TAKES SERIOUS VIEW. CENSURE OF MAT! GROUP. (By Telegraph—rress Association.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 2. Fuller particulars of the trial of the eight Samoam chiefs on- a charge _ of being .members of a -seditious organisation- known as the Mau have been received from itho correspondent of the Press Association at Apia. The trial was held on Monday, November 20. The prosecution was conducted 1 by Air A. McCarthy. Defendants were not represented by counsel: I-fc was Shown, that the defendants left Apia on November 16 on. a journey round the island. They intended to make an inspection! of village roans and plantations. The police received information of the -proposed Malaga and a party of police went to Lou-tua-nu, which had been gazetted as a disturbed area, and brought the defendants to Apia. Evidence was given that the Malaga was being conducted according to instructions contained in a document which had been found in Mr O. F. Nelson’s residence.

Bulb-In-spector Fell said ho found tnc defendants in a fale, or meeting house, with other chiefs, and between 300 and 400 natives were present. They made no trouble and agreed to return to Apia. His Honour, Air Justice Luxford, said it had been proved that'it was a seditious organisation and there was direct evidence that- the defendants were identified with the movement. The defendants elected 1 do give evidence and in- all cases pleaded they were ignorant of the- law relating, tothe Alau being a seditious organisation. They admitted being members- of the Mam -committee and that the Malaga was taken under instructions from the Ainu. One of the chiefs, Antagavaia, said the Alau believed in “Samoa fox the Santo an s” and that the country should be governed! by Samoans and the whites’ government should cease. They would be satisfied with full control of the country.

Another -denied that the Alau was a seditious body, it being formed for the good! of the people. The Alau would be -content when the Government had in to all the Alau demands: In his judgment Air Justice Luxford said the charge, of being members of a /seditious organisation had -been proved beyond all doubt. It was his duty to point out to those who broke the law the folly of their actions. While the law was in force it must be obeyed. The evidence disclosed that the Alau was a seditious and 'a bad organisation and the Government wom'M be failing in its duty if it did not. do everything in its power to suppress it. There could only be one government in the .country and if an organisation^ set itself Tip to oppose and upset the Government it was a seditious organisation. His Honour referred briefly to -the past'history -of the islands and said a country -like -Samoa did not lea-rn to govern itself except after years of hard and patient study by its people. The offences proved were very serious. His Honour imposed the following sentences: Antagavaia, 12 months gaol; Une, six months; Aloha, six month®; Leutle, six months; Solea, six months; Lc.leua, six months; Su, six months; Faalavaau, nine months. Antagavaia was the leader of the Alalaga and Faalavaau -the secretary ot the Alau.