EFFORT AT MEDIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20504, 4 March 1930, Page 11

EFFORT AT MEDIATION.

MISSIONARY'S ENTERPRISE.;

MEETING WITH MAU LEADERS.

UNFAVOURABLE RESPONSE*

[FROM our own correspondent.]

APIA, Feb. 20.

Efforts have been made by at least one prominent official of one of the leading missions to induce the Mau leaders to meet the Administrator. After spending several nights in the hills, and employing a large number of students as messengers, he was able to arrange a meoting between the leaders and himself. A rendezvous was named, and, accompanied by only one guide and moving with the utmost secrecy, he met a Mau guide and roached the place appointed.

There he met a party consisting of 16 chiefs and learned that the fugitive Samoans had organised themselves into eight districts, each occupying a certain defined area in the hills. This distribution would have a twofold purpose. It would enable them to retain their " Faa Samoa" political organisation as each district would bo under the control of its hereditary chiefs, thus avoiding jealousy—the most prolific cause of rupture in their ranks. It would also, in event of active pursuit, necessitate the capture of eight parties instead of onp. Each district had sent two delegates to meet the mediator. He pointed cut to them the hopelessness of their position, and advised them to come in and meet the Administrator. They expressed surprise that he could profess any desire to help them while offering such advice. Leaving his guide behind to bring in their final decision he returned. Their reply in the negative reached him five days later. The regulations controlling the movement of coastal craft are being strictly enforced. Further restrictions were imposed by ordinance upon inland traffic. No European or native may now move between the hours of 6.30 p.m. and 5.30 a.m. outside a radius of one mile from the centre of Apia unless by special pass, issued by the proper authority, Police pickets are posted upon roads outside Apia, and the right of search is exercised at their discretion.