COMMISSION WILL PROCEED

Evening Star, Issue 19660, 13 September 1927, Page 14

COMMISSION WILL PROCEED

PREMIER ON SAMOAN INQUIRY [Pun United Press Association.] WELLINGTON], September 12. So far as tho Government is eoncorned, the Royal Commission which left Auckland on Saturday to inquire into tho troubles in Samoa will proceed with its inquiries in spite oi : the fact that Mr 0. F. Nelson and his asociates on the Citizens’ Committee and in tho “Man” have intimated that they will not attend before the commission or produce any evidence in support of their grievances. No support is forthcoming in official circles to the' .suggestion from Auckland that, because of the boycott of the commission by the “ Man,” the commission will return to New Zealand by the Tofua on her next trip. “The commission will proceed with its inquiries,” said the Prime Minister to-day. “The withdrawal of Mr Nelson and his associates does not make tho slightest bit of difference so far as that point is concerned.”

CHANGE OF HEART

MR NELSON PROCEEDS TO SAMOA WILL PREPARE CASE OF CITIZENS’ COMMITTEE . AUCKLAND, September 12. In spite of his previous decision, Mr 0. F. Nelson stated to-day that he had decided to leave for Samoa next Friday to give evidence betore tho Royal Commission. Mr Nelson intends to loavo by the Marama tor, Sydney, where he will connect with the Sierra for Samoa, arriving there about a week after the commission. Mr Nelson said that his previous decision to hold aloof entirely from the proceedings had been made at the instance of his counsel, Sir John Findlay, of Wellington. His own opinion had been that although the order of reference was not comprehensive enough from the viewpoint of the Citizens’ Committee, he should not rcluso to give evidence before tho commission. He bad been dissuaded from this view by his counsel, but as a result of repeated representations during the past few days Sir John Findlay had now agreed that tho interests of tho Samoan people would bo served best by lum (Mr Nelson) proceeding'to Samoa. He had therefore decided to assist in the preparation of their oase_ and to give evidence himscll. Tho New Zealand Government had promised that time would be given for the Citizens’ Committee to prepare its case, and there would no doubt bo tiinc enough for this after his arrival in Samoa.