SAMOAN UNREST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20103, 23 March 1928, Page 7

SAMOAN UNREST

POSITION OUTLINED Mr. Coates Speaks of Reluctant Recourse to Force THE NEW ADMINISTRATOR L Per Preas Association, j WELLINGTON, Maijch 2m. ihe Rt. Ilion. J. G. Coates announced to-day that General Richardson will return to Wellington in April fur consultation with the Government before proceeding to Geneva as one of the representatives of New Zealand before the Permanent Mandates Committee. The Premier said that the Government wished to express their appreciation o fthc conspicuous ability shown General Richardson. The Government had appoints! as the new Administrator, Lieut.-Col. 8. 8. Allen, of Momnsville and until he takes over his duties, Colonel Hutchcn, the present Deputy Administrator, will act. Th 0 Government considered that the new Administrator possessed tjie qualities of personality, tact, patience and firmness required tof New Zealand’s Administrator, if its trustship is to be carried on without recourse to drastic measures. Mr Coates detailed the activities of tho Mau, fostered by Messrs Nelson, Gurr, Smyth and their associates, and the efforts of conciliation by the Administrator. (Licut.-Colonel Stephen Shepherd Allen, C.M.G.,, D. 5.0., was major of the 6th (Hauraki) Regiment, 1914. He served in the N.Z.E.F., Auckland Regiment, 1915, being promoted to LieutColoncl in .1917. He was awarded the D.S.G. m 191.8 and was twice wounded .'bring the war. He contested the Ohinemuri scat against Mr H. Poland in 1922 y. Misled Natives Mr Coates reviews the happenings in Samoa and concludes: “I wish the public of New Zealand to understand how very reluctant the Government are to have recourse to the final arbitrament of force.

“It must be admitted that the Mau natives, misguided and misled as they undoubtedly arc and mischievous as their activities have considerably proved, have throughout acted with restraint, and with perhaps the inevitable exception of a few minor inci-

dents of larrikinism, have never at any time given occasion to believe that they will resort to violence. Their movement has boon and still is, one of passive resistance.

“They are certainly in earnest in their adherence to the Mau and in their belief in the existence of grievances, which to any sensible person must appear to be purely imaginary. They profess and I believe act upon, the highest principles of Christianity and before taking any step it is their habit to pray for guidance. They consistentjy assert that they are Christians with no intention of harming anybody anti although the law has not been complied with, it must be admitted that up to the present there has been no reason to doubt these pacific professions.

“I mention these facts in onr>r that the public may be aware of the atmosphere that surrounds this extraordinary state of affairs, but it must be understood, at tho same time that the New Zealand Government cannot, and will not, allow the existing position to continue. It is our duty to govern Samoa, but we have felt that in view of the necessary departure of the present Administritor and the appointment of his successor it would be wise, especially in view of our conviction that force should not be resorted to until all other means have failed, to defer further action until the new Administrator has taken over am! the natives have had a further opportunity to realise their position and the Government’s.

“I feel surq. that the people of New Zealand, however, concerned they may be at the position that has been created in Samoa would not wish to risk [precipitating a conflict with these innocent. though misguided people, unless such a course is u avoidable. Hope For the Best “At the present moment the Government does not feel that it is unavoidable. They hope and believe that the position will right itself, but they wish to make it plain in New Zealand and Samoa that, if peaceable measures fail, the Administrator will receive the fullest support from the Government of New Zealand in any measures that may bo necessary to restore order and cnlioree law in the territory. In the meantime we are taking the obvious precaution to arrange for an effective police force.”

Mr Coates says he had previously explained that the activities of the Mau, fostered by Messrs Nelson, Gurr and Smyth, had greatly interfered with the administration of Western Samoa, and as a precautionary measure two cruisers were despatched. After their arrival an ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council of Samoa, making it illegal to wear the Mau’s uniform or hold public meetings in a defined area surrounding Apia. With the assistance of men from the cruisers some 400 uniformed members of the Mau were rounded up and charged with intimidation, which is ar* offence under the ordinary law of Samoa, as in New Zealand and elsewhere. They were not imprisoned, but were confined on parole, and when tried were convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment. They were addressed on various occasions by the Administrator, who did his utmost to persuade them to reconsider their action and take the measures he suggested to effect a reconciliation betwen the two parties into which the Samoan people had split. The Mau, through their spokesman, Tamascse, had returned nn uncompromising refusal and had insisted on the withdrawal of New Zealand administration and on the Government of Samoa entirely by the Samoans themselves. Only one reply was possible and that was made. The, prisoners wore notified that their demands would not be considered and Air Coates endorsed the Administrator’s statement. Nevertheless, in order to show his desire for a reconciliation the Administrator had decided to suspend the sentences and release the malcontents on the condi-

tion that they returned to their homes. They were still recalcitrant and agair began to hold illegal meetings. Tama scse was warned and an attempt wai made to arrest him but it was not per severed witn, as it was not desired to inflict injury on these misguided people. No further steps wore taken and the members of the Mau subsequently dispersed peacefully to their homes, having a committee in Apia to watch events.