SAMOAN UNREST

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11124, 6 February 1930, Page 5

SAMOAN UNREST

RECRUITS WANTED FOR military police APPLICATIONS' CLOSE NEXT WEDNESDAY (Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 5. Hie Commissioner of Police, Air W. AI. Alcllveney, ,is’calling’for'applications in the four chief 1 centres for recruits lor the Samoa military police force, the engagement being for 12 months if their services are required for that period. The pay ranges from 8s fxl a day for privates to 12s 10d a day for sergeants, plus clothing and rations. Recruiting closes on February 12. Single men will be given preference.

HON. J. G. COBLE'S VISIT SIR A. NGATA SUGGESTED AS COLLEAGUE (Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Feb. 5. Following the announcement that the Hon. J. (!. Cobbe is going to Samoa. Air J. Fletcher, M.P., telegraplied the Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, suggesting that Sir Api rah a Ngata should accompany All- Cobbe. DEATH OK WOUNDED SAAIOAN ANOTHER NATIVE TO HAVE LEG AMPUTATED

(Special to Press Assn.—By Radio) (Received Feb. 5, 8 p.m.) APIA, Feb. 4.

One of the Samoans wounded on December 28 died in hospital yesterday. Of the remaining two, amputation of a leg will be necessary in one case. The other is progressing favorably.

. RESULT OF THE INQUEST USE OF FIREARMS JUSTIFIED RIFLE FIRE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN NECESSARY (Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Fob. 5. Tlio Prime Minister received today the verdict of the inquest on the fatalities in Western ’Samoa Eh December 28 last. The coroner was the Chief Judge (Mr J. H. Luxfordj. . The verdict, summarised, is to the effect that tlio Man procession vas in defiance of a warning of the Inspector of Police that he intended to arrest such persons in it as were wanted by the police. The orders for the arrest of the ‘wauteds” did i.ot include anything in the way of offensive measures agajinst tlio procession. The measures ordered were rear sonable and proper. The serious active resistance to tho police when the arrest of Matau took place, which enabled him to escape and which endangered the lives of tho arresting party, Justified; tho' operation of the precautionary measures, as did *• d subsequent- uso of firearms by the police. The police withdrew as soon as possible. Constable Abrahani tied as tHo result of injuries inflicted when lie was physically incapable of defending himself. Sorgeant AVatcrson, being an experienced Lewis guiinor, was justified in using tlio Lewis gun for moral' effect., Tlio deaths of high chief Tamasbso and of Tuia arid Jiigao were the,result of. Injuries inflicted hy rifle fire, delivered immediately before and’during tlio time vhe Lewis gun was in action biy three members of the police from; (lie n* rtliem balcony 'of the police station. 'Plio evidence does not show that rifle fire was necessary. However, in the circumstance's, as then prevailing, it is inevitable that action, will bo taken which may appear at the time to be justified, but, when inquired into subsequently, will be found to have been unnecessary. “This is tlio conclusion to which I have come to in re gard to the riflo fire which caused the deaths of high chief Tamaseso, Tula and Migao”, ho added. Tlio Prime Minister said that . lie not propose to compare the coroner’s findings with the exaggerated allegations that liavo been made in certain quarters, but . felt confident every impartial observer must agree that these allegations have been effectively refuted by the coroner’s verdict. In particular, the coroner finds that tho precautionary measures taken by the police were reasonable and proper and that the uso of firearms by the police was justified. Tlio police, most of whom the coroner finds had already been wounded; and hose lives were still in jeopardy, were undoubtedly in a situation of great difficulty in repelling, an attack by vastly superior numbers and, though their action in respect of the rifle fire was, in the opinion of the coroner, unnecessary, few people will find it possible to censure their judgment of the necessities of the situation in. the pressing emergency then, existing. WELLINGTON Feb. 5. The Minister of Defence (Hon. J. G. Cobbe). accompanied by his private .secretary, Mr F. G. Matthews, will leavo for Samoa by the Alaui Pomare on Tuesday next. The object of the Minister’s visit is stated to be to afford direct contract bcween Cabinet and tho Administrator (Col. S. S. Allen), and to enable the latter to bo advised first hand at a time hvhen ho is unable to leave the territory, of .the .Government’s policy in regard to the activities of the Mau. WELLINGTON, Feb. 5. 11l a stateent to-day tlio Prime ( Minister expressed regret 'at the | news of tho death recorded above.