SAMOAN INQUIRY RESUMED.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 28 September 1927, Page 7

SAMOAN INQUIRY RESUMED.

GRIEVANCE OF COPRA TRADERS APIA, September 20. The sittings of the Samoan Royal Commission resumed today under the presidency of Sir Charles Skeirett, Chief Justice of New Zealand. On behalf of the Citizens’ Committee, Mr Baxter addressed the Commission, outlining the matters to be dealt with by him. He said that he would deal wdth the matter fairly fully and show the Commission that the Mau movement was entirely lawabiding and constitutional. He next detailed matters preceding the holding of the European meetings in Apia, in which the Samoan natives participated, and step by step touched upon affairs which led up to the banishment of certain natives. He then traced the various events which culminated in the acute political position in Samoa, and subsequent events in the New Zealand Parliament and elsewhere. Investigation Wanted. Questions by Sir Charles Skerrett and Judge M'Cormack as to what the Committee had been asking for elicited that they wished the to investigate complaints along the beach. Their purpose was not to put forward any general scheme for the reform of the administration of these islands. Mr Slipper followed, and outlined the evidence to be given as to prohibition, the cancellation of trading licenses, and. the banishment of natives. vi Trader's’ Complaint. The first witness, Mr Brady, manager in Samoa for Burns, Philip Ltd., Shid that he had taken n 6 part in the political agitation, but objected to the administration buying copra from the natives. The prices the administration paid were higher than the merchants could give. The merchants had worked out prices on London returns and all paid the same rates. The establishment of a trading station and stock, he said, cost £IOOO or more. For the administration to compete with merchants who were charged substantial license fees was unfair. He submitted figures to snow that the merchants paid fair prices. Mr Meredith cross-examined him, and sought to show from witness' figures that the profits of the merchants were greater than witness had contended. The net cost f.o.b. in Apia varied, but the purchase price was not varied. Witness said the administration’s advances were practically a purchase. It was improbable there would be any surplus from the London sales. His firm paid taxes and license fees to the administration and was entitled to protection.