IN SAMOA

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1930, Page 2

IN SAMOA

During the course of the Conference held at Samoa between Hon J. G. Cobbe, and representatives of the Man, says a correspondent, the following wordy duel took place. MINISTER ASKS QUESTIONS. The Hon J. G. Coblje said he wished the chief to answer two or three questions. What weie the objects of the Mau? What did the Mau want? Faumuina: The Alan did not tell me what its objects arc. It only asked me to inform you that the Mau will not end.

Mr Cobbe: AYhat are its objects? Wlmt is it striving for? Faumuina: I cannot answer, because the Samoans did not give me the answer.

Air Col.be : I understand you arc one of the leaders and the spokesman of the Alan, and arc supposed to know everything about it. I asked you to enlighten my ignorance, and tell me what the Mau wants.

Faumuina,: I am the leader of the .Uau in accordance with the wish of the Samoans, but I am like a gramophone. AVlien they wind it up, it will work.

Mr Cob lie: Yes, we want the gramophone to work. Faumuina: The gramophone now says it has not been told.

Air Cobbe: Have I to take a message back to New Zealand that the leaders of the Aiau do not know what its objects are?

Faumuina: If I were allowed by the Mau to speak I would do so. Mr Cobbe: Is the Mau prepared to obey the law?

Faumuina: His Excellency did rot put that matter before us for discussion. We have not discussed that matter yet.

AL Cobbe: I am asking you as a memner of the Government if you are prepared to obey the law or not. That is a simple question that can lie easily answered. Faumuina : I do not know what is

the opinion of the Alan. They did not tell me. Mr Cobbe: Surely, as leader, you know the answer! The consequences arc very serious, and I think I should have a straight answer. Faumuina : If you please, let us have a discussion for the answer. Mr Cobbe: There is another matter i wish the Mau to discuss, is it the intention of the Mau to return to its villages and cease interfering with those who do not agree with it t Faumuina asked the question to he repeated. Mr Cobbe: Will the members of the Mau go hack peacefully to their villages, and cease molesting people who do not agree with it? Faumuina : My answer to that will ho, only after discussion, the Samoans will decide whether they will disturb I or not. | The Minister did not pursue the nsc- . less debate. It was plain that the i audience was pleased with Faumuina’s verbal fencing.