SAMOAN AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 July 1927, Page 1

SAMOAN AFFAIRS

(Australian & X.Z. Cable Association.) AUCKLAND, July 18. A radio from Apia, receives! by Hon. Nelson says: “Tngalva and Fuataga sentenced six months; appeal allowed, but stay of execution refused. Administration continues accusations in Saval. Afipia summoned appeared in ATnlimiu Saturday to show cause why his title should not he removed; likewise banishment. 1 ' A later radio reads: “Alipia deprived of title and ordered to Varusu for twelve months. Title removed.” Hon Nelson says: Of the two leading chiefs of the districts of Saluafata arc Tagalva, the former is the one referred to in the radio. The latter is one of the Faipulcs, hut is a supporter of the Citizens’ Committee. High Chief Alipia is the hereditary Speaker of the whole large district of Anna, comprising about one-third of the island of rpoiu.

X.Z. GOYERNAI ENT NOT ADVISED. WELLINGTON, July 18. No advice has been received by the Government concerning the turn ol events in Samoa, which has already been reported to the Hon 0. F. Nelson, of Samoa, by wireless to Auckland. Hon. Mr Xei'son’s message had reference to the imprisonment of certain Samoan chiefs.

N’.S.W. STATESMAN’S VIEWS. AUCKLAND, July 18. “ It appears to me the fundamental principles of British justice have been set aside by the Samoan Administration in dealing with those whose views do not harmonise with the official standpoint.” This was the statement of the Hon. Sir Joseph Oarruthers, Af.L.C., of New South Wales, and tfic former Premier of that State, on his arrival here by the Alaunganui today, en route to Sydney. Me added that he lmd studied the Samoan trouble from both angles. H& had heard both sides, hut lie would express no opinion so far as the facts of the disputes were concerned. Ilis attitude had been neutral, and he desired to preserve it so; but lie felt impelled to comment upon the Administration. " The Administration arrests, imprisons, and punishes those who differ from its views, without giving them the opportunity to defend themselves, and without trial.” he said. In his possession, he said, was documentary evidence proving that when the lion. Air W. Nosworthy recently visited Samoa, he invited any native desirous of so doing to state any grievances upon which he could speak from personal knowledge, in which ease their representations would he most fully considered and investigated. Two chiefs came forward, and they gave statements, which were published. Then, a few days after Mr Nosworthy left the Island, the chiefs in question were deported, on the grounds that they were disaffected persons. “ You cannot blame natives if they confuse that action of the Administration with the authority of the Afinxster,” observed Sir Joseph Carruthers.

“It nearly provoked an armed rising,” lie continued, ” hut the chiefs managed to dissuade their peoples from committing a breach of the peace.

“ Some people might soy that I slioulil he silent, heeause this is a New Zealand matter; hut 1 claim, on higher grounds, the right to speak out. I claim the right of the Hritisher to make the boast that. where our flag flies, men live under liritish laws and institutions of justice. I think that for the good name ol the Empire, every man should have the right to enter a protest against, anything abrogating the principle of liritish justice to liritish subjects! I hope I am doing no more than a service to the Government of New Zealand and to the Einpiie in pointing out the mistakes that are lining made in Samoa, through the high-minded action which sets aside the rules associated with administration the world over under the l nion .lack.”

Sir Joseph Carruthers said he doubled whether Mr Coates, the New Zealand Prime Minister, could he Indy apprised of all the aspects ol the position, or else he would find intolerable a position leading a visitor to Samoa to vsiualise wlmt appeared a bankruptey of statesmanship. Samoa "'.is being governed with something worse than martial law. and something resembling, in fact, the methods of .Moscow.

A NOVELIST'S OPINION. (Received this day at fh.tO a.m.) iiONOi.rr.r. July is. Clem Yore, the novelist, who has arrived from Samoa says the natives are prepared to revolt. He cites three causes: The British Administrator's alleged discrimination in the selection of chiefs for membership of the Council. the imposition of preferential duties in violation of the mandate, and the enforcement of prohibition, although New Zealand itself is wet. the natives are singing war