SAMOAN DEPORTATIONS

Northern Advocate, 11 July 1927, Page 7

SAMOAN DEPORTATIONS

MR H. E. HOLLAND INQUISITIVE

THREAT TO HON. A. E. NELSON,

MINISTER’S REPLY,

(From Our Parliamentary Special.) WELLINGTON, This Day.

In the House of Representatives, Mr H. E. Holland said, that as the Right Hon. J. iG. Coates had stated that no Europeans would be deported from Samoa, he wanted to know from the Minister of External Affairs what action ho proposed to take with regard to a letter addressed by the Administrator to the Hon. A. F. Nelson, M.L.C., of Samoa, under date of June 24.

In this letter the Administrator had stated that he understood Mr Nelson had applied for a passport to leave Samoa for New 7 Zealand about July L He also stated that Mr Nelson’s activities, as a member of the Citizens’ Committee, were causing great unrest among the iSamoan > people and that signs of that unrest still existed.

“Therefore” said the letter, “take notice, that on your return •circumstances may cause you to suffer immediate deportation, under clause (i of the Samoan Consolidation Immigration Order as recently amended, (Sgd.) G. S. Eichardson.”

Mr Holland wanted to know whether the Minister did not think that this was a threat to Mr Nelsoir that if he placed Samoan matters 'before the people of New Zealand, lie would he likely to suffer deportation 1 Would the Minister see that deportation of that kind did not take place unless there was a proper trial before a lawfully constituted court!?

The Hon. W. Nosworthy replied that he did not interpret General Kichardson’s letter in the same way as Mr Holland had done. The Administrator did not have in mind an intention to treat Mr Nelson unfairly if he came to New Zealand to see the Government. The speaker would not make any promises to Mr Holland. He, himsell, had given a fair warning in Samoa that it would rest with the Government to decide, in due course, what action would (be necessary.

Mr IToll.inl: “Did the Administrator have tlie authority of the Government to send this letter to Mr Nelson?” The .Minister replied that the Administrator knew that the Govern* ment was determined to act if necessary. Mr Holland: “Deportations ran only take place with the authority of the Governor-General-in-Council.” The Minister; “We know that and, what is more, if we find that it is necessary ” Mr Holland: “That is not the point. ’ ’ The Minister: “If it is necessary lo deport one, or more, the Government will take the necessary action.” Mr Holland asked whether the letter to Mr Nelson had 'been sent ihy authority of the Governor-Genoral-ift-Coun-cil? The Minister: “No.”