POSITION IN SAMOA

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 76, 25 February 1930, Page 4

POSITION IN SAMOA

RIOTOUS CONDUCT OF MAU. RESTRAINT OF ADMINISTRATION. The following extract from a letter Written by Rev. G. S. Shinkfield, 8.A., chairman of the Methodist district in Samoa, which is under the jurisdiction of the Methodist Church of Australasia, refers to the present disturbed position. Mr Shinkfield has been in Samoa for many years, and has for several years been the head of the Methodist mission, to which a very large number of tho Samoans belong. The letter was sent to the general secretary of the mission, Itev. J. TV.' Burton, whose headquarters are in Melbourne, and this portion contains Mr Shinkfieid’s (official report on the position as follows : Since synod things have gone from -had to worse, until we are now practically under martial law. A proclamation has been issued declaring the Man to be a seditious organisation, and the Dunedin has landed a large detachment of men with the object of the police in an attempt to carry out the new proclamation whioh ‘originates in New Zealand, or rather comes from the New Zealand Executive, but no doubt originates here. ACTIONS OF THE MAU. For your information, I shall review the incidents leading up to the present ■erious situation. As previously stated, the Mau established themselves near to Apia, set up an office and proceeded 'to arrogate to themselves the functions of the Government. They forbade anyone attending the Courts, even as witnesses, and counselled its members to resist arrest and refuse to have any dealings with the Administration. They armed their police with batons, which were more like clubs, and did not fail to use them when opportunity offered. They next sheltered wanted men and escaped prisoners, and this led to a fatal clash with the police. The police were unable to effect an arrest in any Tillage of the Mau near Apia. Sentries were placed in tho roads by the Mau, and frequently cars were insulted and the police stoned. The effect of this conduct on the morals of the country can be imagined, while the prestige of the Administration went down daily. CLASH WITH THE POLICE. As time went on the Mau became ■till more aggressive, apd last Saturday (December 28) overstepped the bounds completely. They asked for permission to hold a procession to .celebrate the homecoming of one of the j three white deportees, Smyth. They .were told that they could have the procession, but they must not again hfpe wanted criminals or wanted prisoners within their ranks, or they would be arrested. They took no notice of the order, with the result that the police proceeded to arrest one of their members who was leading the procession and who was wanted. The result was wholly unexpected. The Mau resisted the arrest and mobbed the police. Reinforcements were quickly on the scene, for the incident took place right in front of tho Government buildings and near the police station. The police were forced to use revolvers, but finally had to retreat to the police station, hard pressed by the mob. It now became a riot and the Mau made an attempt to storm . the police station, but were soon re- * pulsed by Lewis gun fire over their beads. But it was not until the police returned to the fray armed with rifles that the situation became under control, and not before one policeman had been killed and three Samoans also, though several died from wounds afterwards through not being taken promptly to the hospital, and among their number their leader Tamascse. BREAKING UP THE MAU. The incident determined the Administrator and tho New Zealand Government to attempt to break the Mau. The Dunedin came in on Sunday, and nearly all the natives down the coast have gone to the bush. The Mau has been declared to be a seditious organisation, and 20 men wanted on criminal charges have been called upon to give themselves up. As most of are Mau leaders, they have ordered the Mail to evacuate their villages and dear with them. Meanwhile the police, assisted by the Navy, have taken charge of the district around Apia and the deserted villages—deserted except for women and children — *nd are planning to carry out the proclamation and break up the Mau. It is a most extraordinary situation. Bomething had to be done. Everybody marvelled at the restraint of the Administration. The Governor has been here nearly two years now, and has tried every means possible to approach the Mau, but without success. The trade returns for the year have fallen £169,000. The copra returns fell 3000 sons for the year. Not only has the ixuntry been going back economically but also spiritually and morally. The Samoans wero getting out of hand, thanks to the pernicious influence of certain white men. But this does not apply to our Church. Our people have been wonderfully loyal to us and to their Church in the face of tremendous discouragement. The “Governor” mentioned in the last paragraph is Mr S. S. Allen, the present Administrator, the other and unofficial title being in common use by tho Samoans.