SAMOAN COMMISSION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3709, 27 October 1927, Page 3

SAMOAN COMMISSION.

ADMINISTRATOR’S EVIDENCE. Apia, October 24. General Richardson, Administrator, gave evidence at length before the Commission. He said that before a public meeting held in October last the natives were peaceful. He attributed the change to the doing of the Mau, especially the European members of that body. Seditions utterances were made and broadcast through traders and others. He held documents proving this. Knowing the danger of mixing the natives with European political matters, witness said he had endeavoured to prevent it being done here in October last. The present position of affairs proved that his action in that resepet was essential. General Richardson disputed the Mau counsel’s contention that Samoa was approaching normalcy again, except with respect to Samoans working. The true position was that faipules and others were trying to get things quiet by not functioning, as if they attempted to carry out their duties there would be trouble. He regarded Nelson as the head of the Mau movement. Without him the movement would go “phut.”