SAMOA COMMISSION

Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1927, Page 2

SAMOA COMMISSION

(Special to Press Association by Radio

APIA, Oct. 5

At the Samoan Commission, Lagolago (formerly of Amasaga) gave evidence that he has twice been banished. The first time was from Pesega Village, two miles from Apia, to liis liome village, a few miles further from Apia. He had lived at Pesega six years, and bad there a modern house. He and his wife lived in European style. Owing to the loss and inconvenience caused, he went bankrupt, and was kept to assist the assignee in his store, and his banishment period expired without his having actually to live in banishment. His second banishment was in July last, from Pesega, to the small island of Apolima. The Administration alleged that witness and . Fanmuina were the leaders of the “ Mau ” and that they had failed to use their full influence to disperse the large gathering from Apia. Cross-examined, witness admitted that lie had been convicted for illlicit brewing, theft of church monies and in connection with two native companies, which were short of £3,500 which possibly had been lost in trading. Ho was unaware that his family’s request for the restoration of his title to him had been withdrawn until the last-named affair should be cleaned up He favoured a Legislative Council for Samoa, including three elected Samoans. The Administration’s proposed land law would turn the Samoans into a European way of thinking, and induce them to care for nobody but themselves. The “Mau” had been formed to ventilate the grievances of Samoa. The grievances against New Zealand began in 1918, in consequence of the influenza epidemic.