PREMIER’S STATEMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1928, Page 2

PREMIER’S STATEMENT

RECENT EVENTS REVIEWED. (By Telegraph—-Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON. Alarch 22. Air Coates, in his statement issued to-day, says W- had previously explained that/flie activities of the Man, fostered by .Messrs Nelson, Gurr and Smith, Whl greatly interfered with the adininiMiation of Western Samoa, and as a precautionary measure two cruisers were despatched, and alter tljeir arrival, an ordinance was passed by tho Legislative Council of Samoa, making it illegal to wear the Alan’s uniform or hold public meetings in a defined area surrounding Apia. With Hu! assistance of men from the cruisers. some 100 uniformed members of the Alan were rounded up and charged with intimidation, which is an oflenee under the ordinary law of Samoa as in New Zealand and elsewhere. They were not imprisoned, but confined to parole, and when tried, were convicted and sentenced to six-mouths’imprison-ment. They were addressed on various occasions by tbe Administrator, wlio did bis utmost to persuade them to reconsider their action, and to take measures lie suggested to effect a reconciliation between the two parties into which the Samoan people were split. The ALui. through their spokesman. Tamesese. returned an uncompromising refusal, and insisted on the withdrawal of the New Zealand Administration. and on the Government of Samoa being entirely by Samoans themselves. Only one reply was possible, and that was made. Tbe prisoners were notified that their demands would not be considered, and he (Mr Coirtes) had endorsed the Administrator’s statement. Nevertheless, in order to show his desire for reconciliation. the Administrator had jjJjjeided to suspend the sentences, and release the malcontents on condition that they returned to their homes. I hey were still recalcitrant, and again began to bold illegal meetings. Tamesese was warned and an attempt was made to arrest him. but not persevered with, as it was not desired to inflict injury on these misguided people. No further steps were taken, and the Man subsequently dispersed peaceably fo their homes, leaving a committee in Apia to wnt< h events.