SAMOAN CRISIS

Southland Times, Issue 21000, 5 February 1930, Page 6

SAMOAN CRISIS

PRESERVING ORDER MILITARY POLICE TO BE DESPATCHED REPLY TO MAU’S CHALLENGE (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, February 4. The Prime Minister announced to-day that in view of the necessity to bring the present situation in Samoa to a satisfactory termination as speedily as possible, the Government has decided to take steps to prepare a sufficient force of. military police for despatch ■to the territory should the circumstances require it and, in particular, if it becomes necessary to relieve the H.M.S. Dunedin. It will be some weeks before the police will be ready to leave New Zealand and it is hoped that the events which will take place during that period may render it unnecessary for the force to be despatched. “The Government in Samoa is challenged by the Mau and as a result of the Mau's organized activities, warrants for arrest on criminal charges have not been executed,” stated Sir Joseph. ‘The authority of the Administration must be asserted and law and order in the territory must be maintained. This cannot be brought about until there is a complete cessation of the Mau movement and there is now no alternative but to secure that objective. .It would be well for those who are in sympathy with the Mau to recognize this and if they are genuinely anxious for the restoration of harmony in the territory they can best contribute to that end by counselling the abandonment of the Mau when the way will be open for a discussion and redress of any grievances that may be found to exist. The Hon. Mr Cobbe is leaving for the territory next week.”