SAMOAN JUSTICE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1933, Page 5

SAMOAN JUSTICE

LABOUR ATTACK

defended by n.z. premier.

(Per Press Association—Copyright).

WELLINGTON, November 25. In the House of Representatives yes-

torday afternoon, during discussion on

the estimates, Mr J. ’ Lee (Lab., Grey Lynn), criticising the administration of Western Samoa complained that the Hon. 0. Nelson and the eight Samoan chiefs had been “framed up,” and taken before judges .whose verdicts had been upset, and who had shown they were biased and net proper people to deal with the eases., / t.

He said he trusted that, because Mr Nelson happened to be a political opponent of the. Government, he would uot ;be persecuted.

Mr F. Langstone (Lab., said New Zealand’s...attitude.,.to. Samoa did not reflect credit^^th|®f:iC6ifnf^ylif : “I hope \ve'are hot going to see an-' other massacre, or any- more deportations,” lie added,

Mr F. W. Sohramm (Lab., Auckland JbJ.ust), asked what- Were the circumstances underlying the present arrests, and suggested it wag A mistake.

The Premier, the Hoik jG. W. Forbes, said the present affaij' 'in " Samoa was really sub' judice.. ; ' Mi’ Lee: A '‘frame up.”

Mr Forbes said the speeches of dm members of the : Opposition were no-) helpful. Any suggestion that the law could be defied with impunity had a, distubring influence on " the minds of the people. Justice in Samoa was the same as in New Zealand. 1 Replying to criticism of the military administrator, Air Forbes said the piesent administrator w'a s a lawyer. Out of patriotism he had gone to the w- r, and yet- members of the Opposition he’d that against him as far as any other employment in the country was concerned.

The following vote s were passed: Legislative Department £83,000 ; Native Department £51,848; Native Trustee £12,244 ; Government Insurance Account £132,990., -

The House rose at 5.30 p.m. till Tuesday. ' >