SAMOAN ENQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1927, Page 4

SAMOAN ENQUIRY

PREMIER’S REPLY TO COUNSEL

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association,

WELLINGTON, Sept, 10.

The Prime Minister has replied to the Counsel’s letter of the Bth.“lt appears to me possible that your clients are acting tinder a mistake in view of the reasons for the constitution of the commissioon. The commission lias not yet been issued at the instance of your clients or for their satisfaction. Tlie object and purpose of the commission is, firstly, to provide an opportunity for persons whether iLuropeans or Samoans who complain ol actions of the administration to bring their grievances before an impartial tribunal, and secondly to enable the Government of New Zealand which is the administrator of the mandate for Western Samoa to satisfy itself by an impartial report whether there is good and just reason for a change, | either in the methods of the administration -or in the personnal of the i mandatory Government. If your | clients refuse to assist the Royal Cum- ! mission in its inquiries their course j will hardly bo consistent with their often repeated demand for an impar- : tiitl investigation, but they cannot j prevent the performance by the Com- ! mission of its duty. The definition of 1 the order of reference is a matter ] for the Government of New Zealand ' and not for the_ petitioners, but its terms are so wide that all subject matter of complaint which have been made, is within the jurisdiction of the Commission. Your reference to the deportation of Europeans is a matter which cannot ib-o properly referred to ' a Royal Commission, inasmuch as it would involve an inquiry by suc-h a Commission into the merits of an Act of the Parliament of New Zealand, passed during its present session. Your third reason is that no sufficient guarantee lias liecn given by the Government against molestation or interference of or with the petitioners and their witnesses. It is difficult for me to believe that in this you arc serious, or to understand how a demand for | such a. guarantee from the Govern- : nrent of any of His Majesty’s Domin- ; ions can be construed otherwise than , os a delicate affront by its assumption that the Government would he guilty of conduct against which such a guarantee would guard.”