BATTLESHIPS WON’T FRIGHTEN SAMOANS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6538, 21 February 1928, Page 7

BATTLESHIPS WON’T FRIGHTEN SAMOANS

Natives Quite Used To Them, Mr Gurr Says “ACTION ALTOGETHER UNNECESSARY” (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Last Night. Arriving in Auckland by tbc Tofua Ibis afternoon, Mr. E. J. Gurr, the third of tho European citizens to be deported from Samoa, stated that information of warships having been sent to the mandated territory was news to him. Asked if ho thought there was need for such action, Mr. Gurr replied, ‘ ‘ No emphatically no. ’ ’ Asked what effect the arrival of warships would probably have on the natives he replied: “ I should imagine the natives will he amused more than anything. They are used to having battleships in Apia and I should think the presence of two New Zealand ships will have no political effect whatever.” CORRESPONDENT IS HOPEFUL SETTLEMENT MAY BE EFFECTED. [“Times” Special.] AUCKLAND, Last Night. Writing from Apia under date February 11, the “Herald’s” correspondent says the political situation is quiet although there arc signs that the country is getting tired of an impossible situation. A boycott of stores is being worked, but it docs not seem, to bo worrying tho people to any great extent and various devises arc used to got bully beef, while tricks are played on the Man people. One woman had a parcel taken away from her, but it only contained rubbish. Another loyal native disputed the right of a Mau man to take a parcel and the loyal mau came out on top. One of the Mau Committee went into a store to buy meat and be was refused by the storekeeper. The Mau supporter had to enlist tho soryiccs of a boy in order to secure what he wanted. The Administration made advance? to tho Mau Committee for a confer once to settle differences and groat expectations were held. But at the last minute the discontents refused to come forward.

There is still prospect of a meeting. It is believed that a conference will bring matters to a head with every prospect of settlement. The difficulty has been to bring the parties together. The Man people at the moment seem to be following the old formula ‘‘Don’t have anything to do with the Administration.” If once contact is brought about well informed people say settlement will soon bo reached.