BREAK FROM MAU

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22847, 30 September 1937, Page 8

BREAK FROM MAU

GROWING MOVEMENT • SAMOAN NATIONAL PARTY WELCOMED BY EUROPEANS [from our own coßUKsroNnrcsTl APIA, Sept. 16 The National Party of S3 moans ig growing in popularity and the new uniform —khaki with a red stripe jg now a familiar sight in the streets.

Those responsible for this breakaway movement from the Man estimate their number at over 6000. with constantly increasing applications. This is giving Mau leaders much food for thought and frantic efforts are being made to "scotch" the movement. Recently a prominent Mau official visited a dissatisfied district and invited the chiefs to a conference in Apia Instead of being received in the local * fono fale he was taken to a pulenu'u'a ' residence and, after airing his views was told there was "nothing doing." Later in the day three buses were seat out with a further invitation, but they returned empty as the "nialcojiteuts" declined to accept the invitation. Complaint Against Mau The Hon. Tamasese, M.L.A., paid a visit to one district and waited ou the pulenu'u and sought a discussion, but was refused a hearing. The action of a high chief in going to a lesser diief is a distinct lowering siainoan dignity, and is commented upon accordingly. One of the chief complaints of the new party is that the Mau does not properly represent the whole of .Samoa and is not acting in the best interests of the natives generally, but ratiier tor personal gain and aggrandisement. Headquarters are being formed at Vaitele, where offices are being built. A general meeting of the responsible heads is to be held next week to forum, late the constitution and elect officers. There is much dissatisfaction -at the manner in which High Chief Malietoa has been treated by the Mali and laipules. He is the. last hereditary king of Samoa and the recognised head of the Samoans. He has ever been a staunch supporter of, and an excellent jidviser on native affairs to the Administration, and his views do not always coincide with those of the Mau, which loses no opportunity of attempting to belittle him. Constitutionally he will be at the head of the new movement and. as ho has a very numerous following, both in Upolu and Savai'i, the organisation will shortly number at, least 40 per cent of the natire inhabitants. /Ip Delegation to Wellington The advent of the party is welcomed, by the European section. It looks to' the new party to eliminate much of the high-handed policy of the Mau. The fate of the delegation wliich is due to leave for New Zealand, next month, to interview the Prime Minister and lay before him the wishes of a certain section of the community, is { being awaited with interest. , It is 0 stated that the personnel will be increased by the inclusion of two more faipule, neither of whom understands' much English. The interest aroused in New Zealand by the publication of ;he . chief arguments proposed by the delegation has caused satisfaction to the majority of the' residents here, for the arguments are looked upon as ridiculous. ' Some of the remarks of the actingAdministrator and the Hon. F. E. Lansstono are not viewed with satisfaction, especially those in connection with the recent trouble, which was stated Jo have been caused by a few irresponsible hotheads. It is felt that one irresponsible hothead could»cause a lot o! trouble, especially at the present time •when the control of the chiefs o\t?r the younger generation is not a? complete as in earlier days •