SAMOANS SENTENCED

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 940, 9 December 1933, Page 1

SAMOANS SENTENCED

Mau Chieftains Get Gaol Terms. APIA, December 7. Judge Luxford’s decision has been announced in the trial of the six Mau chiefs who were arrested on Savaii on December 1 for allegedly engaging in extreme Mau activities. Two were sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for participating in Mau activities; two were fined 20s, or twenty-one days’ imprisonment, for attending Mau taalolos held in Vaimoso village. They are serving the prison sentence. The other two were released, as the charges against them were not considered proven. Eight Samoan chiefs were tried before Judge Luxford on November 20 on a charge of being members of a seditious organisation known as the Mau. It was shown that defendants left Apia on November 16 on a malaga or journey round the island. They intended to make an inspection of villages, roads and plantations. Evidence was given that the malaga was being conducted according to instructions contained in a document that had been found in Mr O. F. Nelson’s residence. One of the chiefs, Autagavaia, said that the Mau believed in Samoa for the Samoans, and that the country should be governed by Samoans and that the white Government should cease. They would be satisfied with full control of the country. Another defendant denied that the Mau was seditious, it having been formed for the good of the people. The Mau would be content when the Government had given in to all their demands. His Honor imposed the following sentences:—Autagavaia, twelve months’ imprisonment; Une, six months; Molio, six months; Leutele, six months; Solea, six months; Leleua, six months; Su, six months; Faalavaau, nine months.