SAMOAN INQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1927, Page 2

SAMOAN INQUIRY

(Special to Press Assn, by Radio.) APIA, Sept. £9. At the Samoa Commission, the Legislative Councillor, Air Williams, replying to Air Aferedith, said that he did not think that Air Nelson, in witness’ presence, had said: “The Government made a lever of the natives to get prohibition, so why should not we make use of them?” AVitness would not deny this might have been said AVitness never said-. “We must get rid of Richardson!’ There never was any such intention. A phrase circulated in Samoa, and authorised by tlie Committee of which witness was a member, referred to the “cruel, oppressive and despotic rule oi the Government.” He admitted non that this was too strong language to issue to natives. AVitness said Air AVestbrook had blamed the Minister and the Adminitrator for the native unrest and for constitutional efforts being hostilely received. Witness did not know of Mr AVestbrook’s letter to a New Zealand newspaper. About one hundred thousand dollars of tlie loan bad been translated into Samoan money and circulated among the natives, and it caused unrest and dissatisfaction with the Administration among the natives.

Mr Samuel Alornel! Meredith gave evidence that the Samoans were ripe for complete self government. Apropos of his failure to admit an obvious deduction from witness’s previous statement, Sir Charles Skerrett said: “I only want to let you know that "O are a thinking tribunal, and don’t swallow anything that is said to us.