INDICTMENTS

NZ Truth, Issue 1306, 22 December 1930, Page 1

INDICTMENTS

cony of the police station, at the hands of one of the men who had provoked the riot, the first burst of machinegun fire. All the Samoans went down. "A kinsman of Tamasese — a boy — who protected with his own body the wounded chief was riddled with bullets. There were thirteen holes m his lava-lava alone. Six bullets entered one leg. . He was also ' shot m the groin, left side, through the foot, and between the shoulder. It was announced to the world that a Lewisgun had been fired over the heads of a mob which attacked the police station!" The High-Chief Vele was killed. Tamasese died next morning, but the previous evening he issued a manifesto to all Samoa, "My blood has been spilt for Samoa, I am proud to give it. Do not dream of avenging, as it was spilt m maintaining peace. If I die, peace must be maintained at any price." No opportunity for the ceremonial obsequies for Tamasese wefcjp afforded the natives and from this time onwards, the Administration declared, what was tantamount to war on the Mau. Mr. Rowe has added fifteen appendices to the book — appeals, correspondence, extracts from documents — which bear out the truth of his statements. I Almost simultaneously with the publication of this book, has appeared a pamphlet, "An appeal for Samo* Full investigation desired." This is written by Professor J. P. Grossman, : of University College, Auckland, and contains an open letter to the ActingPrime Minister Ransom. Professor Grossman, an unbiased I and impartial citizen^, has felt urged to take up the cudgels on behalf of I the cause of the Samoans. In his open letter, the Professor states the facts and stresses the whitewashing of previous Royal Commissions, and the report of Messrs. Verschaffelt, Park and Berendsen. Professor Grossman's letter is a challenge to the Government of ' New Zealand for a full and impartial investigation by some inde- . pendent authority into the present state of Samoa, and the bourse of events that has produced it. Surely this is ofcly reasonable. In the face of all' the accumulated evidence, the world -wide publicity which must discredit our country m the eyes of every' nation and for the sake of justice, "Truth" also is of the opinion that this investigation should be immediately made. - * I I These two indictments of New- Zea- ' land's administration of the Mandate are sweeping, and although everything contained ■m Mr. Rowe's book may not be quite accurate, the docu*mentation lends authenticity to many of his statements. There is unquestionably prima facie evidence to Avarrant a searching inquiry, and that inquiry should be granted.