SAMOA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 30 October 1928, Page 5

SAMOA

THE PRESENT POSITION QUESTION BEFORE MANDATES COMMISSION • AGITATORS STILL ACTIVE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Australian Press Association (Received 30th October, 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, 29th October. At Geneva, the League's Permanent Mandates Commission began an examination of the .New Zealand Government's annual report on the administration of Samoa to March 1928, in the presence of New Zealand's representatives, Sir .Tallies Parr and General Richardson. 'The period covered by the report saw the events traversed in the Royal Commission's report, examined at the previous session. Members of the Commission accordingly asked for particulars of the present situation and for explanations regarding certain- information, according to which a portion of the population is still discontented. General Richardson explained that the so-called Citizens' Committee still existed secretly, and kept in touch with the agitator, ;Mr 0. F. Nelson, now in banishment, and who also still contributed to the disaffection of tho native population by spreading false news. General Richardson added that the natives had been informed of the Mandates Commission's work. but they were again influenced by intrigues and agitators. Sir James Parr said. that the New Zealand Government had reported that the situation had improved during the past six months but immediate results could not he expected. Order was being maintained, and the courts were now obeyed. Account must be taken of the fact that the Administration was compelled to deal with passive resistance in the shape of a refusal to pay taxes. The chairman, Marquis Theodoli (Italian) remarked that they knew ill Italy how- to deal with those who refused to pay taxes. Sir James Parr replied that they had no Fascist army in Samoa. The mandatory power was going to the limit of its patience before resorting to stronger measures.

The Commission will further examine the report to-morrow. .