METHODS IN SAMOA

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1929, Page 8

METHODS IN SAMOA

POLICE. AND THE WILY NATIVE.

A IMA, 'Feb. 0. Although the main purpose of the visit of the military police to Samoa was tlic establishing of law and order and the maintenance of peace, they have proved a very necessary ally to the Collector of Taxes, in persuading those Samoans belonging to the Man that membership of this organisation does not exempt them from liability in the matter of taxes. Taxation is a sore matter with the natives at present ; they realise tlnrt the ’native tax provides a large source of revenue to the Administration, but providing this revenue is not in accordance with the policy of the Man. Consequently the Alan committee has long ago instructed its numerous adherents t( keep their .money to themselves, or to spend it much more wisely in buying kai kai for the committee. Obviously, this injunction has a tremendous appeal ot the Samoans, but unfortunately tell re is a catch in it, tell usual fly in the ointment.

THE MILITARY POLICE STEP IN. For quite a considerable time now the military police have been round ing up reluctant taxpayers and then persistent methods of doing so have aroused in the. minds of many of the natives, a big doubt as to whether tlu game is worth the candle. The easiest way of nabbing the wanted man is grab him when he ventures into Apia under the delusion that the military police are hardly likely to pick him out among the usual throngs of Samoans in the town. But the military police seem to bo well informed, am. it is quite a frequent occurrence; to sec an exciting chase through the streets with a sweating and sometimes swearing lad in khaki in hot pursuit of a bulky Samoan with his lavalava tuck ed well up round his waist, and a worried look in his eyes. The Samoan is not a particularly fast runner, out the policeman is handicapped by the heat and his equipment, so the start is fairly even. In the long run the chase generally develops into a garni of hide and seek round the scattered buildings at the back of the main street, with the 'Samoan 'trying tc head off into the hush, and the poilcemen trying to keep him busy until assistance arrives. One such chase (lined up with the disgusted AI.P. holding a torn lavalave in his hand, while a badly frightened Samoan tried to hide his nakedness in a cloud of dust. The Samoan has a commercial nmu and will risk even the chance of Imprisonment rather than lose a feu shilling!. At .the las jtvisit of the Maui Pomare one of the non-taxpavor was faced with such a chance. l'oi some time he had been tending a beautiful crop of bananas, which just reached the correct stage of maiuniy the ship steamed into the harbour. What was he to do, sacrifice his crop at 5s a case, the easiest money be and ever chanced earn or brave the dangers of the military police and venture into Apia. Greed triumphed tie. caution, and the native, brought hi; bananas to the Customs house, where a few shrewd mitiltary policemen wen awaiting just 'such an opportunity. The usual chase resulted, but this time the military police scored a victory, and the tax collector ticked off another name in his records. HARD HEADS AND BATONS. As often as not, the wanted native shows fight before consenting to be gaoled, especially when lie is arrested in his own villgc with plenty staunch friends to assist him, and on these occasions the ALP. have to look out foi themselves. No weapons other than fists of batons are used and it say; something for the fighting powers oi the .police that they are generally victorious. If asked what is the hard est thing in the world to crack a military policeman would probably nominate the head of a Samoan. One big ALP. relates how in a disturbance in Apia when a bunch of natives became disorderly he came to grips with a truculent Samoan. The native proved a lug handful, so he pulled out hi.baton and cracked the Samoan on the head with a blow which ordinarily would have felled an ox. The native certainly had the decency to stagger but promptly recovered and delivered a right hook to the jaw of the ALP. which left him interested in nothing except a vivid display of fireworkbefore lie slipped into the pitch black of unconsciousness.

VILLAGE RAIDS. Many wanted Samoans hide in the bush during the day. and only return to the village at night when they seem to consider it only a fair thing that they should not be disturbed. Polities arc all very well in the daytime but should not be allowed to interfere with the domestic happiness after sundown. The Military Police having no domestic ties at night, and frequently being obsessed witli a spirit of restlessness, ‘do not concur with the Samoans view point. Consequently it is no unusual tiling for a small party to sneak round a village through bush and swamp t omake a sudden charge on a suspected fale in search of an evasive taxpayer. The M.P. consider themselves lucky if they capture their man in these raids. Generally hmg before they get into the village, iVbout two thousand mangy dogs rush out to greet them, and a icon- of disturbed pigs tear in snortin;/ v-ind gruntTng wrath over the floors of the native houses. The only resort then is to rush the suspected fide, hut in the darkness the chances are they rush the wrong one, and m

the meantime all those Samoans with guilty consciences have quietly supped into the bush. Many a crosscountry race has resulted from such raids.

A HOME FOR REFUGEES. The Alan Committee meanwhile has not left its adherents in the lurch. The raiding tactics of the Alilitary Pa lice and their constant pursuit of the wanted Samoans has got very much on the nerves of the villagers, with the result that some of them have shown signs of giving in. To counteract this tendency the Alan have ordered all Samoans who are wanted by tile police for non-payment of taxes to go to certain villages where they can be safe-guarded against .surprise raids. At present Alagiagi and Vaimoso villages are sheltering a large number of these natives. Of course oven Here they are not immune from investigating poj.ice parties, but a sysstein of patrols along all roads leildto the villages gives ample warning of any danger, and by the time tlic police arrive anyone with a guilty conscience is hidden in the bush.

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