SAMOAN RIOTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18492, 6 February 1930, Page 8

SAMOAN RIOTS.

Inquest On Victims. CORONERS VERDICT RECEIVED. By Tele2rai>h— Association. WELLINGTON. February 4. The Prime Minister iRt. Hoii. Sir J. G. Ward), received to-day the verdict, of the inquest on the fatalities in Western Samoa on December 28th last. The Coroner was the Chief Judge (Mr J. H. Luxfordh The verdict (summarised), is to tne following effect: — That the Mau procession was in defiance of a warning of the Inspector of Police that he intended to arrest such persons in it as were wanted by the police. That the orders for the arrest or the “wanteds” did not include anything in the way of offensive measures against the procession The measures ordered were reasonable and proper. That the serious active resistance to the police when the arrest of Matau took place, which enabled him to escape and which endangered the lives of the arresting party, justified the operation of the precautionary measures, as they did the subsequent use of firearms by the police. The police withdrew as soon as possible. That Constable Abraham died as the result of injuries inflicted when he was physically incapable of defending himself. That Sergeant Waterson, being an experienced Lewis gunner, was justified in using the Lewis gun for moral effect. That the deaths of High Chief Tamasese and of Tuia and Migao were the result of injuries inflicted by rifle Are. delivered immediately before and during the time the Lewis gun was in action, by three members of the Police Force from the northern balcony of the police stat ion. That the evidence does not Show that the rifle fire was necessary. “However,” the verdict states, "in the circumstances as then prevailing, it is inevitable that some action will be i taken which may appear at the time to ,be justified, but when inquired into ( subsequently will be found to have been unnecessary." “This is the conclusion,” states the Coroner, “to which I have come in regard to the rifle fire, which caused the deaths of High ernef Tamasese, Comma Tuia and Migao." Comment by Prime Minister. The. Prime Minister added he did not propose to compare the Coroner’s findings with the exaggerated allegations that have been made in certain quari ters, but he felt confident that every I impartial observer must agree that ! these allegations have been effectively | refuted by the Coroner’s verdict. In particular, the Coroner finds that the ! precautionary measures taken by the | police were reasonable and proper, and that the use of firearms by the police 1 was justified. The police, most of j whom the Coroner finds had already I been wounded, and whose lives were , still in jeopardy, were undoubtedly in a situation of great difficulty, repelling j an attack by vastly superior numbers, and though their action in respect of I this rifle fire was. in the opinion of the Coroner, unnecessary, few people 'will find it possible to censure their judgment of the necessities of the situation ; in the pressing emergency then existi ing-

ANOTHER NATIVE DIES. MINISTER OF DEFENCE TO VISIT TERRITORY. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, February 5. One of the Samoans wounded in the riot on December 28, died In hospital on Monday, according to a special radio message received by the Presf Association. The dispatch added that Of the remaining injured natives, amputation of a leg would be necessary in one case. The other was progressing favourably. In a statement to-day the Prime Minister- (Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward), expressed regret at the news of the death recorded above. The Minister of Defence (Hon. J. G. Cobbe), will leave for Samoa by the Maui Pomare on Tuesday next. The object of the Minister's visit is stated to be to afford direct contact between Cabinet and the Administrator (Colonel S. S. Allen), and to enable the latter to be advised at first hand at a time when he is unable to leave the territory of the Government's policy in regard to the activities of the Mau. CASE DISCONTINUED. By Telegraph—Pres* Association. AUCKLAND, February 5. Without prejudice to resumption at a later date, the Hbn. O. F. Nelson has discontinued the suit against the “New Zealand Herald” from whom he claimed £IO,OOO for alleged libel. NO REPLY. No reply has been received from the 'Administrator to Mr Nelson’s request for safe conduct of his witnesses, and consequently Mr Hall-Skelton told Mr Justice Herdman this morning that he had no option but to discontinue the action. Mr Hall-Skelton added that there was a movement afoot, which it was hoped would lead to an amicable settlement of the troubles in Samoa.

M.P.’S SUGGESTION. By Telegraph—Press Ajcsociatlon. AUCKLAND, February 5. Following the announcement that the Hon. J. G. Cobbe was going to Samoa. Mr J. S. Fletcher. M.P.. telegraphed the Prime Minister suggesting that Sir A. T. Ngata should aCcompahy Mr Cobbe.