SAMOAN TRIAL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 63, 24 February 1934, Page 8

SAMOAN TRIAL

SEDITION CHARGES Evidence of Mau Members CROWS CASE NEARING END (By Telegraph—Press Association.) (Received 24, 8.15 a.m.) APIA, Feb. 23. The hearing of the case against Olaf Frederick Nelson was resumed in the High Court at Apia to-day. Defendant is charged with breaches of the Samoan Seditious Organisations Regulations, Tuala Tulo, a Mau member, continuing his evidence, said be wag present at meetings of the Mau at the residence <rf Nelson when the defendant urged the natives to proceed with the fono themselves. A spokesman told Ne'son that the Mau declined to accept this advice and insisted that the defendant •Mould be present. It was Nelson’s wish that a large body of men should ■ot travel to malaga parties. Cross-examined, witness said he had •ot heard Nelson’s name mentioned in •onnection with orders and arrange meats for the malagas. He was present <n the occasion when the Mau received ftelson't message advising it to exclude him from the representatives to the •onference. The Mau still desired to meet the Administrator. Witness had been fined £l, in default three weeks’ imprisonment, on conviction foi Mun activities. He served the time as he, preferred prison to payment. The Mau would never agree to hold a fono wi‘h. •ut Nelson. Tauiliili, secretary of the Savaii malaga party, who is serving a sentence of six months, stated that he read out * document signed by luala •nd others, produced yesterday in eight Savaii villages. Witness at first deme.: knowledge of the identity of the representative named therein, but finally admitted that it was Nelson. Witness said that Mau taxes collected comprised two shillings from each chief and one from each young man. The main object of the malagas was to inspect plantations and to judge plantations. Every village was not inspected, only those near the road. The Mau had collected taxes for years. Corrections were made in Mau plans to avoid the commission of offences. Witness was told this by the Mau secretary. He knew also that the number of the party was reduced at the wish of the defendant.

Sergeant Seiuli stated that he was Bine years in the German police and ft) years with the present administration. He was present at Taalolos given in honour of Nelson in September. He was also present on the •ccasion of Nelson’s departure when he was deported. He heard Nelson say he wa s leaving in obedience to the order •f the Administrator and promised to return for victory, God willing. The Mau were told that victory was in their hands.

Prior to the adjournment the defence intimated that it was not calling any evidence, but would present legal argument when the prosecution closed. Mr McCarthy expected the Crown would finish to-morrow.