SAMOAN ENQUIRY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19141, 26 October 1927, Page 9

SAMOAN ENQUIRY.

EVIDENCE GIVEN BY ADMINISTRATOR. "SEDITIOUS UTTERANCES MADE." (PRESS association.—bi wireless.) APIA, October 24. Sir George Richardson, Administrator, gave evidence at length before the Commission. Ho said that before the publio meeting held in October last the natives were peaceful. He attributed their chango to the doings of the Mau, especially the European members of that body. Seditious utterances were nude and broadcasted, through traders and others. He held documents proving this. Knowing the danger of mixing the natives with European political matters, witness said ho had endeavoured to prevent it being done here in October last. The present position of affairs proved that his action in that respect was essential. Sir George Richardson disputed the contention of counsel for the Mau that Samoa was approaching normal conditions again except with respect to the Samoans' working. The true position was that the Faipules and others were trying to get things quiet by not functioning, as if they attempted to carry out their dtuies there would be trouble. He regarded Mr Nelson as the head of the Mau movement. Without him the movement would go "phut."

FURTHER EVIDENCE. (PRESS ASSOCIATION.—BT WIRBLESS.) APIA, October 24. Robert Allen,, a, clerk in the Native Department, gave evidence before the Royal Commission that the High Chief Tamasese had been banished for refusal to obey the order of the Administrator to remove a fence erected by Tamasese on other people's land. Banishment was requested by his own people and personally approved by Faumuina, now a noted leader of the Mau. The Secretary of the Administration (Colonel J. W. Hutchen) deposed that the Administration's copra purchases at prices which local merchants had stated in their evidence they were unable to afford had, by returns from London, been shown to be soundly based. One shipment in July would yield the Samoan native sellers 4s 6d a ton bonus over what the merchants had deposed they could not afford, and a second shipment 24s 6d additional. Cross-examination sought to show that the Administration did not allow for adequate overhead charges.