SAMOAN PRESS NEWS CENSORED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18960, 6 January 1930, Page 10

SAMOAN PRESS NEWS CENSORED.

PRIME MINISTER GETS RADIO FROM VISITOR. (Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, January 6. The Prime Minister received during the week-end the following radio message from Mr ITall Skelton at Samoa: “The Administrator is censoring messages to the Press of New Zealand regarding the shocking affair here last Saturday. I have radioed the Press Association demanding its intervention. Europeans are holding a mass public meeting. Grave charges are pending. Official news, as reported to have been already sent, is incorrect in the essential facts.”

The Prime Minister, in handing the above wire to the Press, pointed out that it emanated from a partisan source and must be weighed accordingly. As for the statements in the wire, he had no comment to make at pre-sent.

Sir Joseph Ward added that the public of New Zealand would be relieved to know that in the face of the many rumours circulating that since the unfortunate disturbance, when loss of life occurred, there had been no further demonstration in Samoa and that conditions at present are absolutely quiet. In confirming the statement that 11.M.5. Dunedin will be dispatched to Suva, the Prime Minister stated that this was purely a precautionary meas-

Mr Hall Skelton is a lawyer acting for Mr O. F. Nelson, one of the central figures in the Samoan trouble. Mr Skelton landed in Samoa on the day on which the demonstration occurred. He is there to collect evidence in connection with Mr Nelson’s suit for alleged libel against an Auckland newspaper.