SAMOAN COMMISSION.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17223, 5 October 1927, Page 7

SAMOAN COMMISSION.

MORE NATIVE EVIDENCE. SEDITIOUS CONSPIRACY ADMITTED DEFIANCE OF THE AUTHORITIES. (Australian & N.Z. Cablp Assn.) APIA, Oct. 4. Further evidence was given by natives before the Samoan Commission to-day. Siaupiu, formerly Autagavia, said the title of leading orator had been taken from him, and he had also been banished three limes under Colonel R. Tate, secondly in 1925, and again this year. lie had no means of subsistence, and had been supplied by the Administration. His houses and plantations had deteriorated greatly in his absence.

Under cross-examination witness admitted that his banishment in 1922 was for seditious conspiracy. Fuataga, a leading orator of Samoa, who was sent to prison for -six months for his refusal to obey an order to return to his home village, said that in his opinion tiio order was made because he was a member of the Mau. He had refused to obey the order, and had been sentenced to a term of imprisonment, which he was now serving. He said he had done nothing to disturb the good order of the territory. He was opposed to the medical tax and supported the self-govern-ment of Samoa by the Samoans.

LATER. PEACE AND FRIENDLINESS. THE EFFECT OF THE MAU. (Special to Press Assn. by Radio.) (Received Oct. 5, 9.25 a.m.) APIA, Oct. k. Tuisila, who has been imprisoned for four months for failure to obey an order to return to his home village, gave evidence before the Royal Commission. He said because he was a member of the Mau his faipule had tried to dissaudc him from participation therein, but without success. Vvitness declared that the Mau stood for peace and friendliness, not trouble, to the people of Samoa. Mr Slipper (counsel for the Citizens' Committee and natives) : But that is not all they talked about? Sir C. P. Skerrctt: It is all that they say they talked about —rather a curious subject for a sole topic of conversation.

Witness persisted that this was true. Though he had complaints against the faipules and chiefs as leaders, he had always told the Samoans to keep the peace. He was against the fine mats inhibition, medical lax, and individualisation of land. He said the faipules should be elected by the people as in the olden times.