DEPORTATION TALK

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 92, 9 July 1927, Page 1

DEPORTATION TALK

SAMOAN AGITATION LETTER TO MR. NELSON DISCUSSION IN HOUSE (.THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. Further mention of the trouble at Samoa was made in the House to-day, when the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland, addressed a question to the Minister for External Affairs, drawing Mr. Nosworthy’s attention to a letter which had been sent by the administrator at Samoa, Sir George Richardson, to Mr. O. F. Nelson, chairman of the citizens’ committee at the Islands. The letter, which was under date June 24, was worded as under:

“I understand you have applied for a passport to leave Samoa, and intend sailing by the T.S.S. Tofua, leaving Apia on July 1. Before your departure, let me remind you that your activities as chairman of the Citizens’ Committee was greatly instrumental in causing much unrest among the Samoan people. Signs of that unrest still exist. I am satisfied you have not used your best efforts to undo the harm done. Therefore take notice that on your return, circumstances may cause you to suffer immediate deportation under clause 6 of the Samoan Immigration Consolidation Order recently amended.”

Mr. Holland asked if this were a threat to Mr. Nelson that if he placed Samoan matters before the people in New Zealand it was likely that he would suffer deportation as a result, and whether the Prime Minister would take steps to see that any deportation of this kind would not take place without a proper trial before a constitutional court.

Mr. Nosworthy said he did not interpret the letter as did the Leader of the Opposition. He would not make any promises as to what was going to happen in respect to Samoa. He had given fair warning when he was in Samoa, and it now rested with the Government here to decide what action it was deemed necessary to take. Mr. Holland: Did the Administrator have the authority of the Government to send this letter? Mr. Nosworthy: The Administrator knows that the Government is determined to see that things are not going to be upset.

“I support the attitude of the Government on the' Samoan question.” declared Mr. A. Harris in the House to-day. This announcement, in view of the political gossip about Mr. Harris’s difference with the Reform Party, was greeted with laughs and interjections front the Opposition side of the House.

Mr. H. E. Holland. Leader of the Opposition: This is where you come home.

Mr. Harris: If you follow me yon will never be very far from home. Labour members: Oh! Mr. P. Fraser: Will you put your little tail first? Mr. T. M. Wilford: He is wagging that now.

Mr. Harris said he was not at all assured that the trouble in Samoa was not of German origin. Mr. H. E. Holland: Did you not know that one of the organisers of the petition was a German? Mr. Harris: I think the utmost care should be taken before any drastic action is adopted. We know from bitter experience what to expect from the Germans. I agree with the suggestion that Parliamentary members should go down and see for themselves. (Laughter.) Samoa has not direct representation in this House. Mr. P. Fraser: It should have. Mr. Harris: Yes; it is the duty of members to go and see for themselves what the position is.