AFFAIRS IN SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20098, 8 November 1928, Page 15

AFFAIRS IN SAMOA.

BAD INFLUENCES AT WORK.

LACK OF CO-OPERATION. DISSENSIONS IN THE MAU. [from our own correspondent.] APIA. Oct. 25. Matters here arc quiet. The Administrator has met Tamascsc and another high chief, but so far there is nothing to report, regarding that meeting. Natives arc being sued for their taxes and, as a rule, after tho law has gone to the limit and there is an Order for prison made for default, the tax is paid. Only a few havo found their way to the gaol at Tuvao. Summonses continue to bo issued and there is a little difficulty in service, but no actual resistance is met with.

Rumour continues to run along "tho Beach" that Mr. Nelson is coming back "with (lie victory." Something or someone is keeping the natives up to the mark in noil co-operation. Everyone is perfectly satisfied that the Administrator is prepared to redress apparent grievances and make drastic alteration in the system of administration, but that does does not seem good enough for tho Samoa n.

Afamasaga and Ainuu, two prominent Mau chiefs, havo resigned from the Mau and a notico has been published in the Guardian saying that tho Mau has passed a resolution that theso two chiefs aro no longer recognised as members of the Mau or Samoan chiefs. It is stated that Afamasaga and Ainuu wero prepared to setlle tho whole business on certain points being conceded to them, but the Mau refused to havo anything to do with it.

Tho trouble with the London Missionary Society lias not been settled, but efforts to bring about a reconciliation are being made by Messrs. Hough and Parker, two missionaries from Home. Both aro

touring llic group, prior to arranging a big fono to discuss the situation. A sa (boycott) is reported to be operating outside Apia and traders complain that it is doing thein harm, especially as there is a ban against the cutting of copra.