OPPRESSIVE LAWS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 83, 29 June 1927, Page 8

OPPRESSIVE LAWS

PETITION TO PARLIAMENT DISSATISFIED NATIVES (THE SUX’S Parliamentary Reporter .) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. “\\'E are moved by love but *’ never driven by intimidation,” is the significant statement made by 155 petitioners who have presented a petition to Parliament from the chiefs and orators of Western Samoa, who claim to have been authorised to represent the large majority of the Samoan people owing to their increasing dissatisfaction with certain features of the New Zealand Administration in Samoa. While expressing loyalty and true confidence In the New Zealand Government, the petitioners, with characteristic and colourful language, complain of the lack of knowledge of the temper and true character of the Samoan in the administration of his affairs. The obedience to the laws and heavy burdens had been accepted as approval, but it was pointed out that the conditions required by Samoan people were many. FONO OF FAIPULES While the Fono of Faipules existed the Faipule should be selected by the districts as in past days. The Fono of Faipules should confine its functions to deliberations with the Administrator and cease to assume any position to which it is not entitled by personal right. The Faipule should not Interfere with the work or position of other officials, such as the native Magistrate Commissioners, etc. Each village should select its own village official to administer only village matters. The rule of hereditary village councillors should be re-established in accordance with the Samoan custom for the preservation of peace and harmony. This should also apply to district councils, with necessary reservations. RIGHT TO TRIAL It was asked that all laws empowering the Administrator or Faipule to inflict punishment on Samoan people without trial be repealed and the Land Law should be confined to the High Court, also the Court of Appeal 'or objection. It was also asked that the High Court of Samoa be opened or a special

judge appointed from New Zealand to investigate all cases wherein Samoans have been punished under the Samoan ordinance.

Another request that is made is that all la,ws and the financial statement of the group should be published in Samoan as well as in English. The petitioners attribute the present indebtedness of Samoa to their lack of knowledge of the debt by reason of the absence of a financial statement in their language.

The petition is signed by Mr. A. F. Nelson, as chairman of the Citizens’ Committee, and by 144 natives.