“MUZZLED THE MAU”

Evening Star, Issue 19793, 17 February 1928, Page 4

“MUZZLED THE MAU”

MR NELSON CHARGES UNFAIRNESS “ DARE NOT PUBLISH MY EVIDENCE ” [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, February 17. Tho Hon. O. F. Nelson, having been supplied with a copy of the evidence taken by the Royal Commission in Samoa,, supplies for publication a statement, in the course of which he says: I had eleven days on the witness stand, and came through this Star Chamber ordeal so well that the Government does not dare publish my evidence. Mr Nelson deals at length with matters preceding the appointment of the Commission, and stresses the refusal of Sir Charles Skerrett to agree to an adjournment, awaiting his (Mr Nelson’s) arrival. He concludes: He muzzled tho Man by refusing counsel reasonable facilities to communicate with witnesses. Then, when the witnesses were called, he restricted their evidence to mere answers to the question of counsel, who had no chance beforehand of finding what evidence the witnesses could give, and knowing what questions to put. Contrast this with h' treatment of the Administrator. The Administrator sat on a dais with tho Commissioners to face the ordeal of cross-examination by counsel whom ho could deport if he wanted to. The Administrator was not restricted to question and answer.