SAMOAN TROUBLE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4038, 7 January 1930, Page 2

SAMOAN TROUBLE.

CRUISER DUNEDIN ORDERED

TO SUVA

Wellington, .January 0

' Although the situation in Western Samoa is reported to be quiet, steps have, been taken by the Government- to meet any recurrence of the recent disturbance. The cruiser Dunedin will proceed to Suva, almost 'immediately, where she will remain tin the meantime and thus be available should an urg-ent summons for her presence in Western Samoa be received.

REQUEST THAT CENSORSHIP

BE LIFTED.

Westport, January 5. Tn a radiogram to Mr. H. E. Hol-land,-Leader of the Labour Party, delivered on -Saturday evening - . Air. A. Hall Skelton, -barrister, Auckland, says he was an eye-witness of the affair at Apia last Saturday and asserts that official reports sent out from Samoa are incorrect. He further declares that grave eliarves are. pending, and adds that -the Administrator i.s with-hol-ding from transmission Press messages containing - the true account of what happened. Ah - . Holland yesterday sent a telegram to -tlie Prime Afinistei - / (Sir Josepli Ward) urging - that the censorship be lifted in order that full information from all sources be available to the public of New Zealand.

HALL SKELTON'S CHARGE AND

PREAIiER’-S REPLY.

Sir .Joseph Ward handed to the Press yesterday the following radio message be bad received from All - . A. Hal! Skelton (counsel to the Hon. 0. F. Nelson), at Samoa: —

“Administrator censoring messages to Press of New Zealand. Shocking affair here last Saturday. Radio-ed Press Association demanding intervention. Europeans 'held mass public meeting - . Grave charges pending - . Official news as reported already sent incorrect on issential facts.”

Referring to the message, the Prime Minister said that it emanated from a partisan source, and must be weighed accordingly. As for the statements in the wire, he bad no comment to make at present. Sir Joseph added that the public of New Zealand would be lelieved to know, in face of many rumours cii'eulatiiig, that since the unfortunate disturbance when loss of life occurred there had been no further demonstration in Sanioa, and that .conditions at present were absolutely quiet. The sending of 11. A LB. Dunedin to Suva was purely a precautionary measure.