SAMOAN COMMISSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20235, 21 October 1927, Page 9

SAMOAN COMMISSION

EVIDENCE OF MAU ACTIVITIES

PLANTATIONS NEGLECTED. (Special to Press Association.) (By Radio.) APIA, October 19. Fagamalo, a Savaii native official, confirmed in all respects the evidence of the native officials at the Apia sittings concerning the Mau activities and the interference of the Mau with the functions of the administration. He gave testimony that in Savaii the conditions existing were similar to those at Opolu. The plantations were neglected, beetles were not searched for, taxes and licenses due were unpaid, and court summonses were treated with contumely. Two European inspectors testified that there was no trouble before the Mau started, but since the Apia public meeting had joined the natives for the purpose of political agitation the inspectors were unable to discharge their duties because the natives would not obey, alleging instructions from the Apia Mau Committee. One chief when pressed gave the reason that Mr Nelson had gone to Europe to see a greater power than New Zealand about the transfer of the mandate, and the Samoans were awaiting Mr Nelson’s return. In Savaii large areas of bananas had been planted for export, but h.ew Zealand’s new insulated vessel was absolutely neglected, and no fruit cargo was available from Savaii. The Resident Commissioner deposed that 400 cases were pending before the courts, but were being held over because the present mental attitude of the Samoans would probably lead to further offences. All the administration activities were functioning splendidly to November last, but were now at a standstill. He could not effect arrests. To Sir Charles Skerrett he emphatically said that the Samoans were not timid or not afraid to express their complaints or to air their grievances to the Administrator or any other official. Judicial procedure for “banishments was possible, but inadvisable. Removals of culprits from the home village often averted a tragedy, therefore banishments were entirely in the interest of the offender concerned. ARRANGEMENTS FOR RETURN. HINEMOA TO BE UTILISED. (Special ip Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, October 20. Definite information that the Government steamer Hinemoa is to go to Samoa to pick up the members of the Samoa Royal Commission has now been received by the local agents. The Hinemoa is due at Auckland from Norfolk Islands early tomorrow morning and is to be despatched from here for Niue Island at mid-day on Saturday. Thence she is to go on to Samoa. .. It was reported from Wellington earlier in the week that the Hinemoa was to take the members of the commission from Samoa to Suva, where they were to, board the Niagara, bound from Vancouver to Axickland and due here on November 7, hut no information to this effect has been received by the agents. The plans have apparentlv not yet been finalised, but it appears likely that the Hinemoa may return to Auckland, with the members of the commission, and not go to Fiji as previously announced.