IN SAMOA.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1928, Page 1

IN SAMOA.

STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER. WELLINGTON, March 17. “ While the Government are not yet aide to make a full statement as to the position of affairs in Samoa and as to their inmmediate intentions, I wish the public of New Zealand to understand that the alarmist reports that have been recently circulated from unofficial sources in Samoa are greatly exaggerated,” said Mr Coates to-day. “My information is that notwithstanding the activities of the Alan, (here docs not appear to be any present danger of a breach of tTie. peace in Samoa. Provocative and ill-inform-ed comments on the position are not. of course, lieljiful in maintaining the peace, but lives and property in Samoa are to-day not in jeopardy. Large numbers of Man adherents, who had gathered in Apia, have now dispersed to their homes and while 1 do not wish to ho understood as impliyng that the position in Samoa, is as yet satisfactory, or that the law is being complied with, I can see no reason why in tlio absence of mischievous interference any branch of the peace should occur. “ As soon as tlie Government arc in a position to do so they will make a detailed announcement of any action they may decide to take.” HON. 0. F. NELSON’S MESSAGE. AUCKLAND, March 17. The Hon. 0. F. Nelson, known l>,v his chief’s name of Tnisi, forwarded the following message to the Samoan people prior to his departure yesterday for Geneva : “ Thanks be to God our dear country has been ever kept in His love. I wish to express joy that the chiefs, orators, and the whole of the people have been patient under the hardships and troubles endured arid that, peace lias been kept. May it ho so to the end. " My work in New Zealand has been thoroughly completed. My petitions are about to he handed to the New Zealand Government to he forwarded to the League of Nations. May the hopes of our little country he realised and the matter on which you have set your hearts he accomplished at Geneva. “ Let us trust in God. Though in exile on these distant lands 1 find it impossible to wane in the righteousness of the cause of our people. I, therefore, move around in the confident hope that the day will soon come when we will see the loving hand of God in this matter. To Him shall we give praise.”