AGITATION IN SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19675, 29 June 1927, Page 10

AGITATION IN SAMOA.

THE DISAFFECTED ELEMENT A PETITION TO PARLIAMENT. CERTAIN LAWS OPPOSED. CRITICISM OF ADMINISTRATOR. [HV TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday A long petition setting forth the views of the disaffected natives of Samoa and of the Citizens' Committee was presented to the House of Representatives this afternoon by Mr. H. G. R. Mason (Eden). The petition expresses confidence in the integrity of the New Zealand Government and its desire to promote peace and security in Samoa, and disappointment in the refusal of the Government to receive a deputation from the natives. The petition continues:—"Starting from ourselves and our wives, even to our children, we all complain of the weight of the load we have to carry nowadays, brought about bv some laws made expressly for the Samoans which are oppressing us to the point of slavery, whereas we cannot believe this to be our status." A Question of Policy. Credit is given by the petitioners to the Administrator, Sir George Richardson, for his intentions toward the natives, but they assert the methods by which he carries out his policy reveal a lack of knowledge of their ways or a wish to ignore the temper and true character of the Samoan, who, according to one of their old proverbs, may be moved by love but never driven by intimidation. The Administrator, they say, has misinterpreted obedience to the laws and patience under heavy punishments as approval by the natives—an erroneous idea, which has resulted in the imposition of heavier punishments whenever an attempt has been made to express the pain and the groaning of the Samoans under laws with which they were never made acquainted by past Governments. The Pono of Paipules.

The petitioners seek the re-establish-ment of the conditions under which the Kono of Faipules was selected by districts and its functions confined to deliberations with the Administrator on subjects essential to the welfare and liberty of the Sanioan people. They ask that !he hereditary Village Councils should be re-created and that a Faipule should nut be allowed to assume any position in the village which is not his by personal right. Coneerining the administration of the law, it is asked that all laws empowering the Administrator or the Faipule to iuflict punishment on natives without trial should lie repealed, and .hat the right of appeal to the Hipl) Court should be given. It is further prayed that the High Court should be opened or that a special Judge should be sent from New Zealand to investigate cases where Samoans have been punished under the Samoan Offenders Ordinance, which, it is also asked, should be repealed. Financial Statements. Another request that is made i! that all laws and the financial statement of the group should be published in Samoan as well as in English. The petitioners attribute the present indebtedness of Samoa to New Zealand to their lack of knowledge of the debt by reason of the absence of a financial statement in their language. The petition is signed by Mr. A. F. Nelson, as chairman of the Citizens' Committee, and bv 144 natives.

AN INQUIRY WELCOMED. STATEMENT BY MR. COATES. INTERESTS BEHIND MOVEMENT. |IJi- I'ELEGIt.U'H. —SPECIAL REPORTER. 1 \V K LLI ,V OTO X. Tuesday. A vigorous reply to Labour criticism of New Zealand's administration of Samoa was made by the Prime Minister, Mr. Coates, during the debate on the Imprest Supply Bill in the House to-night Mr. Coates said that the criticism of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland, was based on a circular issued bv Mr. F. H. Meredith, of Samoa, one of the parties concerned in the disaffection. Mr. Holland: That is hot so; you are quite wrong. Mr. Coates: Pardon me, 1 have it here. Continuing, the Prime Minister touched on the friction of the Fono of Faipules, stating that the Fono definitely objected to the Legislative Council interfering with native affairs. There were all kinds of interests behind the present agitation, interests which were not those of the natives Opposition Voices: Name them. it Mr'Coates. Trade, liquor and copra. The mime ol Mr. A. Nelson, chairman of the Citizens' Committee, was mentioned. Mr. Coates stating he was .1 very able man and a wealthy one, but he had made the whole of his wealth since New Zealand had taken over the mandate of Samoa Mr Nelson wanted to be the Government hut he could not be allowed to do that. Mt Coates added that the Government welcomed an investigation. It, realised that the honour of New Zealand was at stake in its administration of the mandate. On the return of the Minister of External Affairs", Hon. W. Nosworthv. the House would be fully advised of the posit ion. Mr. Holland complained that letters addressed to him from Samoa had been tampered with, and he believ ed'this had been done at Apia. .This was a serious matter, and he strongly objected to these Prussian methods. Mr. Coates said the Government could not be held responsible for this. He was not aware whethes or not there was ;f censorship in operation.