FIRST SITTING OF SAMOAN COMMISSION

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3615, 16 September 1927, Page 7

FIRST SITTING OF SAMOAN COMMISSION

Takes Place Jo-morrow Week, Says Wireless CITIZENS COMMITTEE'S DIFFICULTIES . i • (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, Last Night. Tlic first sitting of the Samoan Royal Commission has been convened by public notice for Saturday week, September 24, according to a wireless message received from Apia to-day by the Hon. O. F. Nelson. The taking of evidence, the message says, will begin-at once and the Commissioners, it is hoped, will leave for New Zealand by tho “Tofua” on October 21. Mr. Nelson said he had just received a telegram stating that while tho imprisoned chiefs could not be released as had been asked reasonable facilities would be given to enable them to attend before the Commission to give evidence. Regarding chiefs who had boon banished to villages other than their own no agreement had been reached. Ho did not know the exact number of men in both classes, but it should by now bo several dozen. The banished chiefs wore scattered far and wide which added to the Citizens’ Committee’s difficulties in presenting Us case. Mr. Nelson will leave for Sydney to-morrow and will go on to Samoa by tho “Sierra” arriving about a week after the Commissioners.