SPECTRE OF REVOLT CASTS SHADOW OVER WESTERN SAMOA

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6537, 20 February 1928, Page 7

SPECTRE OF REVOLT CASTS SHADOW OVER WESTERN SAMOA

Cruisers Dunedin and Diomede Under Orders for Troublesome Mandated Isles

“Entirely Precautionary Step”

As a result of recent advices received from Western Samoa, which state, that a serious position has arisen owing to failure to bring about a reconciliation between the Mau Committee and the loyal section of the native population, or in any way to mitigate the defiant attitude of the disaffected chiefs who constitute the centre of the Mau movement in Apia, the Premier, The Right Honorable J. G. Coates, announced on Saturday that Cabinet had decided entirely as a precautionary measure to dispatch the cruisers Dunedin and Diomede to the mandated territory.

Breaches of Peace Feared (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Fob. 18. Following tho receipt of wireless messages from Samoa, a meeting of Cabinet was held to consider tho situation. At tho conclusion of tho meeting the Prime Minister, Right Honorable JV G. Coates, mado the following statement:— " , f-"-■ 'V.. , “Recent' /advices received from Western Samoa indicate that all efforts to bring about either a reconciliation between the Mau Committee and the loyal section of the native population, or in any way to mitigate the defiant attitude of the disaffected chiefs who. constitute the centre of the Mau movement in Apia have failed. “The latest messages from the Administrator state that a - serious position has arisen and that action taken or by tho official police ■will be regarded as a signal for general retaliation by the Man against Europeans, the result, therefore being that the entire police force is powerless and the maintenance of peace improbable. “I am glad to assrire the public that up till the present-time, owing to the patience and forbearance which has been exercised, there h,aye been no actual breaches of the peace but as danger to life and property might arise if steps are taken to restore the normal functions of Government without adequate force behind authority, Cabinet has decided, entirely as a precautionary measure, to dispatch the cruisers Dunedin and Diomede to the mandated territory.” “An Unknown Destination” NAPIER, Feb. 18. H.M.S. Diomede left at 8 a.m. for an unknown destination after the crew on leave had been rounded up midst much excitement in the city. It is understood that tho vessel is going to Auckland to replenish all its stores. Inflaming Position, Declares Mr Holland

“BIG STICK” POLICY MUST BE ABANDONED. WHANGAREI, Last Night. It was not until after his meeting at Whangarei that Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, learned definitely that the Dunedin and Diomede had been ordered to Samoa. Mr. Holland has handed the following statement to the Press in relation to the incident:— “The Government's action is extremely ill-advised and will probably only servo to inflame the position in Samoa. “Tho people of New Zealand have been told repeatedly that the deportation of the Honorable 0. F. Nelson, M.L.C., and his colleagues would mean the end of trouble in Samoa. Indeed, more than one misleading report has been sent out conveying the idea that matters had commenced to settle down after tho departure of Messrs. Nelson and Smyth. Exactly the contrary was the easo however ,and tho real effect of tho deportations has been to further incense the Samoans, “The sending of warships to Samoa may have tho effect of procipiating

trouble and it would have been much better if the Government had taken a sensible way out of the difficulty. A return to normal conditions can only be secured by an abandonment of the 'big stick’ policy. “Deportations and banishment orders should cease and tho deported Samoans and Europeans should bo allowed to return to their homes. General Eichardson should bo recalled without delay and tho people of Samoa should be notified that the promises made to them in the name of Now Zealand will be honored, that wo will recognize the right of the Samoan people to an effective voice in the Government of their own country and finally that there will an'application of principles of justice with the right of fair trial in every case where offences are alleged on the part of either Europeans or Samoans'.” In dealing with tho latest phase of Samoan affairs in his speech, Mr. Holland, who at the time of speaking had nOt seen the report of the sailing of the Dunedin and Diomede, said ho hoped there was not sufficient stupidity or criminality in Cabinet to send warships to Samoa. Tho speaker proceeded to review the recent history of Samoa and events leading up to the. present crisis, and the faults in administration and the illegality of administrative acts, alleging General Eichardson’s temperamental unfitness for his post and recalling the bitterness tho Samoans still felt concerning the influenza epidemic when over 8000 died. On top of that had been established a military dictatorship by an official bird of passage, the. native repudiation of the Eono of Paipules nominated by the Administrator, the limitation of European franchise, a breach of peace by the Chief Judge for which there had been a fine of £3. The formation and objects of the Mau and the sentences of banishment, imprisonment, and deportation were all touched upon. It had been said that Labour was siding with the traders against tho Interests of the natives. But tho Party was only concerned about giving all a right of trial. Prohibition and copra were quoted as the root causes of the trouble. But out of 13,000 tons of copra in one year the Administrator had handled only 100 tons. Labour would nationalize the copra industry and would never consent to tho introduction of liquor among the Samoans, The Leader of tho opposition proceeded with revelations concern the “Poster case.” This man had committed unnameablo offences in Samoa and he had been sent back to New Zealand. The Administrator had notified the New Zealand Government of the nature of the offences Poster had committed there. Notwithstanding this warning he had been allowed to take up a responsible position in Papanui where he had again committed similar crimes, ending with the murder of his wife and suicide. The Government had not dared to permit an investigation into this business. Tho case of an official in Samoa who bad committed suicide was also mentioned. On the day the Labour Party came into power clvory banishment order would be recalled and every man given tho same rights to oppose tho Government by constitutional means. “Our methods in Samoa aro not British,” said the speaker, “they would indeed bo discreditable to the regime of Bismark. ”