TAMASESE WAS WITH RIOTERS STATES REPORT FROM SAMOA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18958, 2 January 1930, Page 10

TAMASESE WAS WITH RIOTERS STATES REPORT FROM SAMOA.

Police Were Trying To Make Arrests When Riot Occurred

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, January 1. The Prime Minister announced to-day that reports from the Administrator of Western Samoa indicated that the natives whom the police were endeavouring to arrest when the attack occurred last Saturday were wanted on a warrant for assaulting the police and that Tamasese, leader of the Mau, who died from wounds received during the affray, was among the rioters. At least one automatic pistol was used by the Mau. The territory is reported by the Administrator to be quiet. The Mau are dispersing and the Administrator has received a large number of offers of help if necessary from loyal natives.

“ PUBLIC ENTITLED TO INFORMATION.”

FORCE ALONE IS USELESS IN SAMOA. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, January 2. In the course of an editorial on the trouble in Samoa, to-day’s “Star” says: “We put it to the authorities that the New Zealand public is entitled to more information than it has received. In view of the paucity of information, final judgment on all aspects of the trouble must be suspended. New Zealanders will ask, however—indeed, they are already asking—whether, in all circumstances, it was the wisest policy to warn ‘wanted’ Samoans that, if they came to Apia, they would be arrested, and then to arrest them when their supporters were in strongest force. This question will be asked by men who are per- J fectly well aware that the Mau are the I

law breakers, and that the Government has made a permanent offer of peace which the Mau has refused to accept. “The Government will not be wise if it does not realise that the employment of force alone will not bring peace and prosperity to Samoa. There is also the strongest obligation on all who have any influence with the Mau to work for that understanding between the two people on which any permanent improvement must be based.” MEMORIAL SERVICE TO BE HELD FOR TAMASESE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, January 2. A memorial service for the High Chief Tamasese will be held at Auckland to-morrow. WARSHIPS TO SAIL FOR DESTINATION UNKNOWN. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, January 2. The sloops Veronica and Laburnum will leave Auckland to-morrow. Beyond an intimation that they may j call at Russell the destination of the I warships has not been disclosed.