SAMOAN INQUIRY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 20 October 1927, Page 8

SAMOAN INQUIRY

MAU ACTIVITIES CONFIRMED BY NATIVE OFFICIALS. CONDITION'S IN SAVAII. ——.-4 (Received 20. 8.5 a.m.) Apia, October 20, Before the Commission. Fagamalo and Savaai native officials confirmed in all respects the evidence of other native officials at the Apia sittings concerning Mau activities and interference of the Mau with the functions of the Administration. Testimony was given that in Savaii conditions were existing similar to those at Upolu—neglect of plantations, no searching for beetles, taxes, and licenses due and unpaid, and Court summonses treated with contempt. Two European inspectors testified to there being no trouble before tne Mau started, but since the Apia public meeting it had ioiined the natives in political agitation. The inspectors were unable to discharge their duties because the natives would not obey, alleging they had instructions from the Apia Mau Committee. One chief, when pressed to give a reason, said Mr Nelson had gone to Europe to see a greater Power than New Zealand about a transfer of the mandate, and Samoans were awaiting Mr Nel sons return. In Savaii large areas oi bananas planted for export bv New Zealand’s new insulated vessel were absolutely neglected, and no fruit cargo was available from Savaii. The Resident Commissioner deposed that 400 cases pending before the Courts had been deferred because, in the present mental attitude of Samoans, they would probably lead to further offences. All Administration activities were functioning splendidly to November last, but now were at a standstill, and they could not effect arrests.

To Sir C. P. Skerrett he emphatically denied that the Samoans were timid and afraid to express their complaints or air their grievances to the Administrator or any other official. Judicial procedure for the banishments was possible, but inadvisable. Removals of culprits from their home village often averted a traced v therefore banishments were entirely in the interest of the offender concerned.