SAMOAN EVENTS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1930, Page 6

SAMOAN EVENTS

HUH I CHIEF ARRESTED

SEAPLANE OPER ATING

[United Press Association—By Electric

Telegraph—Copyright.]

APIA, January 17

Chief Tuimalaelufano returned irom the busii into Leaunia village yesterday and was arrested. He was charged with wearing the Man Lavalava at a Native Court at Alulinuu, and was remanded for a week.

Further five wanted men, were arrested in the bush at Leiiuvaa yesterday are now in custody at Apia. The seaplane made a reconnoitreing fliglit east and west of Apia yesteiday. This is the first time a British seaplane has been seen at Apia, and it caused the greatest interest. The machine will be reconnoitring again to-day.

MR HOLLAND’S COMMENT

WESTPORT, January 18

In reply to the Prime Minister’s statemnt, Mr Holland said that official reports referred to were ex,parte statements of those whose outstanding blunder was responsible for the tragedy of December 28th, and who had exercised the power of censorship o prevent any radio-graphed version other, .'than their -own from coming through. Whatever additional report might be obtained from the same source would obviously be of the same nature as those already received. If it was true, as the Prime Minister contended, that Man was warned not to allow the wanted men to appear at the welcome, that itself would be conclusive proof of a criminal blunder committed by whoever gave the order lor the arrests, for it would demonstrate that it was officially recognised that trouble would 'any attempt to make arrests on such an occasion. The postponement of the inquests allegedly to permit evidence to be given by members of the Mau was farcical, since the Administration had already taken steps that would effectively prevent evidence from that source. The amazing refusal of the safe, conduct for witnesses, meant than any Samoan who appeared to give evidence would be liable to be arrested, either for belonging to the Mau which had been stupidly proclaimed a seditions organisation, or on some charge arising out of non-payment of the now defunct head tax or other native tax. An administration with a clear conscience would have been expected to clear away all' obstacles that would prevent the eviden.ee from any source being made available. The construction which Samoans would place on he refusal of safe conducts was obvious.