SAMOAN INQUIRY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 1 October 1927, Page 5

SAMOAN INQUIRY

A “GUARDIAN” ARTICLE DISCLAIMED BY COUNSEL. A NATIVE’S SENSE OF JUSTICE. (Special to Press Association— By Radio.) (Received 1, 10.15 a.m.) Apia, Sept. 30. An article in the “Samoa Guardian” alleging “attempted interference by the Administration with the Royal Commission” and a report in the same newspaper of the proceedings in chambers, was brought to the attention of the Commission by Mr. Meredith, who said he thought the article was a direct allegation that the Administiator had interfered with the Commission. Messrs. Baxter and Slipper, counsel for the Citizens’ Committee and natives interested, disclaimed connection with or knowledge of the article or the report. The allegations put into his mouth respecting General Richardson were untrue, said Mr. Baxter, who added that neither he nor Mr. Slipper were prepared to retain briefs if they were not fully trusted by the committee and the natives. Sir C. P. Skerrett said the Court regarded the article as a very improper one. If had the power to punish, but did not propose to take further action than to say that the suggestion of interference, or attempted interference, on the part ol the Administration with the procedure of the Commission was destitute of any foundation in fact. The reference to the proceedings in chambers, added Sir Charles, showed that the writer of the article was singularly destitute of knowledge of normal legal procedure. The suggestion that chamber proceedings had any other reason than z to expedite proceedings was ludicrous. TRADERS’ EVIDENCE. Three traders gave evidence of their licenses being cancelled for no reasons known to them. They admitted they were members of the Mau ("Samoa League) and in one case carried Mau supporters at half rates in Mr. Nelson’s vessel by order of the firm. Alelieu, a Samoan native, complained that his title had been taken from him and that banishment of the natives was considered very wrong. Cross-examined, witness said he himself had asked for two natives to be banished from his village and he did not think those banishments very wrong Those natives had got up against him.