57

A.—4

and representatives of the Samoan people. He had to convey to them the greetings of the Government of New Zealand and their expressions of goodwill towards the people of Samoa. It was the wish of the Government of New Zealand that peace, happiness, and prosperity should prevail throughout the length and breadth of Samoa, and it was their earnest hope that the meeting that day might be the means of bringing about that very happy state of affairs. The Administrator. —After some moments of silence the Administrator again spoke. He said he thought perhaps they had better go straight to business. They all knew the state of affairs in the country, and the object of the meeting was that they might together seek a solution of the troubles that affected Samoa. Owing to the operations of the Man the country had been torn by dissension. No work had been done during that time, and the whole of the Samoan people had been divided. During such a period it would "have been impossible for any country to prosper. The work of education and the continuation of advancement throughout the country had been at a standstill. It was time, therefore, in the interests of the progress and welfare of the country, that the disaffection should come to an end. He would explain to them very briefly the requirements of the Administration in the matter, and would put definitely before them what was considered necessary. The following were the points that he considered essential for the future welfare of Samoa. His Excellency then read the following statement: — Requirements from the Mau : —- 1. The end of the Mau. (This will involve a dispersal of the Mau to their own villages, and conformity to the laws of the country.) 2. The surrender of persons who have committed offences for trial by the Court in the ordinary way. (No organization can pretend to shield people from arrest or trial, and there must be the same law for every one—chiefs or otherwise.) 3. Chiefs to meet the Administrator in fonos whenever required. (Subject to the two requirements above, the Administrator is prepared to discuss any matters affecting the government of the country, or any grievances, either now or as may be arranged.) Referring briefly to each of the points enumerated, he said that with regard to No. 1, " The end of the Mau," it was impossible that the present state of affairs should be allowed to continue in any country. Respecting No. 2, " The surrender of ' wanted persons,' " he did not anticipate much difficulty in this connection. They would realize with him the discredit that must fall upon anyone who had broken the law, and the necessity of having the matter properly inquired into and dealt with by the Court. As for No. 3, " The holding of fonos," this was the only way in which it was possible to have a satisfactory discussion of any trouble. It was impossible to know whether a question was right or wrong without discussion. He had tried hard during the last two years to meet them for the purpose of discussing matters, but unsuccessfully. The points he had noted down appeared to him to be the only possible way out of the difficulties. They had tried through different channels and through different countries to obtain their own way but without result. He suggested that they should try and bring these matters before him in the ordinary way in which they had done with other Administrators. This was the right way. He trusted that, by the united efforts of all now, they would be able once more to bring about peace and harmony. In conclusion, the Administrator handed to the Mau leaders the typed list of the points he had referred to, and asked them to consider them. Faumuina thanked His Excellency the Administrator and the Hon. the Minister of Defence for their greetings and expressions of goodwill towards the welfare of Samoa and its people. The points that had been outlined by His Excellency would be put before the Mau. He could not reply of himself to any one of them. It was impossible for him alone to reply, because they had not known prior to the meeting that morning what His Excellency's intentions were towards the Mau. Therefore, a reply could not be given at present to any of the points. The whole Mau would first require to discuss them carefully and talk them over together. It was true that His Excellency knew they had taken to the bush because they were afraid. But now, to-day, no one would go out to the bush again. They would stay where they were all assembled (at Vaimoso) to await and take whatever His Excellency might desire to do with the Mau. If His Excellency considered or decided that the Mau were wrong or had committed any wrong he could do with them whatever he liked—put them in gaol or send them away from Samoa. They would do or take whatever His Excellency might desire. With regard to the " points " put forward by His Excellency, as he had already stated, the Mau were going to discuss them and talk them over together later. Ho requested that they might be allowed to do this. No one person could claim control of the Mau ; there was no one leader. All were equal. They must therefore have a decision on behalf of the whole of Samoa. They desired time to thoroughly discuss the Administrator's proposals. The Hon. Mr. Cobbe then addressed the gathering. He said he wished to point out the manner in which the Government of New Zealand regarded Samoa and the present condition of things there. The League of Nations had appointed New Zealand to act as Mandatory with respect to Samoa. New Zealand was acting on behalf of Great Britain,

B—A. 4.