TEARS AND CHEERS

Taranaki Daily News, 16 July 1929, Page 3

TEARS AND CHEERS

TAMASESE HOME AGAIN GREAT SAMOAN WELCOME. PICTURESQUE OILED NATIVES(Auckland Star’s Correspondent.) Apia, June 27. Accorded a reception worthy of a> visiting potentate, Tamasese, the High Chief of the Mau, who has been imprisoned in New Zealand for the last few months, arrived in Apia this morning. Tamasese left Auckland on board the Tofua but' broke his journey at Suva and joined ■ the Matson boat for Pago Pago, American Samoa, where he remained a few days until the Tofua was due to reach Apia. By a well-arranged coincidence, the launch bearing the big chief from Pago Pago arrived in Apia just about the time of the day when most of the tourists might be expected to be roaming round the town. On thisoccasion, therefore, the Tofua’s passengers were fortunate in being able to witness a large assembly of Samoans clad in all their picturesque finery, and anxious to do the utmost honour to tho home-coming leader. Also, judging by the number of tourists occupying seats of honour in the celebrations, they were afforded every opportunity by the Mau, and perhaps by Tamasese, who was a fellow-passenger (withal a sick one, for part of the trip) to see just what tho Samoans can do in the way of rememoering a leader who has “suffered in the cause.” PROCESSION THROUGH TOWN. The whole proceedings were orderly, ana showed that the Mau committee had spared no pains to ensure a big welcome. About eight o’clock the leading members of the Mau marched from Vaimoso through the town to the Tivoli wnarf, where Tamasese was to land. There they were joined by a procession from the other end of the town, which, instead of being clad in the sober Mau. uniform, showed a brilliant line of colour. There was a big squad of knife dancers in brown lavalavas decked with vivid flowers, each member carrying a formidable hooked knife. Another squad, clad in red lavalavas, were profusely decorated witlr armlets and necklets of leaves. All were well oiled with cocoanut oil, so that their glistening bodies almost reflected the . bright sunlight. The band at the head of the procession had a uniform all of its own, but lacking none of the colou? of the others. At° times it discoursed music, which, while not altogether beyond criticism, considerably added to the liveliness of the morning. By the time the launch bearing the royal party was in sight, the beach front in the vicinity of the wharf was lined to the water’s, edge with crowds of natives, in addition to those taking part in the procession, so that altogether a gathering of several thousands of Samoans must have been in Apia to welcome Tamasese.

Six large fautasi, containing some 30 rowers each, went out to escort the launch to the wharf. They were arranged bow to stern from the launch to the wharf, so that Tamasese had to traverse the length of each to reach tho shore. As soon as he stepped on. the wharf he was greeted by his wife and by some influential chiefs. Some one called for three cheers, which were heartily given. Another three were then given for the Mau, and Tamasese stepped out to meet his friends. The big chief looked in excellent condition, in spite of his incarceration, but nevertheless was obviously glad to be back in Samoa again. No Samoan is ever happy. out of Samoa, and the tears that Tamasese kept wiping from hie cheeks bora witness to the state of his feelings. After a short interval, with the band leading and Tamasese in his proper place again at the head of the Mau,the procession moved off in an almost endless stream to Vaimoso village, the Mau headquarters and Tamasese’s home. There after the usual speeches and. kava drinking, a huge feast was held, and the rest of the day was spent in dancing and singing. Tamasese was home again. WHAT NEXT ? With Tamasese’s arrival and a definite leader at the head of the Mau again, the political developments are awaited with interest. According to report, there were attempts to “get at” the chief while he was in prison, apparently with the idea of changing his views, and that he resisted these overtures. What policy he intends to follow now is a matter of conjecture. The law has not yet lost sight of him, for before he landed from the launch he is supposed to have been handed a warrant by a policeman for unpaid taxes. Perhaps, in his enforced retirement, Tamasese has had time to think it over, and to realise that even If the Samoans have suffered minor wrongs the present course is futile. If his views have by any chance changed, it is open to question whether he can bring the Mau committee to a mor® moderate frame of mind. Without being unduly pessimistic, it would appear that a settlement is still a matter of. time.