THE SAMOAN TROUBLE

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4423, 6 March 1930, Page 3

THE SAMOAN TROUBLE

T. P. SLIPPER SENTENCED TO THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.

The Prime Minister announced on Tuesday the receipt of information from the,Administrator of Western Samoa that T. B. Slipper had been convicted by the High Court of publishing a defamatory libel and of using insulting Avords and had been sentenced by the Chief Judge to three months’ imprisonment on each charge (the sentences to be concurrent) and to a fine of £lO5 for the defamatory libel.

T. B. Slipper, Avko is solicitor for the Mau, formerly practised at Wanganui anil Auckland, and was at one time a school teacher under the Wanganui Eduction Board.

LIBEL CONTAINED IN LETTER.

Apia, March 3

This morning l before Judge Luxford,' Thomas Slipper, barrister and solicitor, Apia, was convicted on two charges.

Firstly on a charge of publishing a defamatory libel against the Administrator he was sentenced to three months and 'fined £lO5. Secondly on a charge of using abusive and insulting words towards and in respect of a member of the Legislative Council, he was sentenced to three months, the sentences to' be concurrent.

The charge arose out of a letter sent by Slipper on the instruction of several Samoan women clients relative to a meeting at Mulinuu a fortnight ago between the Administrator, Commodore Blake and the Samoan women .who complained of harsh treatment of women and children and the destruction of property in houses and villages by naval search parties. The women were dissatisfied Avith the meeting and instructed iSlipper to write a letter of complaint to the Administrator and send three copies to the Prime Minister, the Chief Judge and ICbmmodore Blake which constituted the publication admitted by Slipper. The letter contained the words complained of. The Judge, in passing sentence stressed the seriousness of the latter in view of the present political unrest. He also would not accept Slipper’s defence of privilege. Mr. AndreAVS (solicitor) prosecuted and 'Slipper conducted his OAvn defence.

MAU LEADER'S MEET ADMINISTRATOR.

Apia, March 3. At ten this day the Administrator and the Minister (Hon. J. G. Cobbe) met the leading Chiefs Tui Malealii, Fano and Faumuina and others at a big gathering of the Man at Vaimoso. The conference lasted one and a half hours. Colonel Allen, Mi*. Cobbe and Faumuina Avere the only speakers. The meeting Avas quiet, orderly and respectful. Messrs Allen and Cobbe stressed that IaAV and order were essential in Samoa and expressed the hope of a settlement and the OoA r ernment’s. desire that peace and prosperity Avould prevail in Samoa.

Colonel Allen gave three points L‘or consideration: Firstly, that the Mau shall end; secondly, that the wanted men he surrendered; thirdly, that the Administrator meet when required the leading representative chiefs of the people of Samoa to discuss all matters for the benefit of the people. Faumuina, the spokesman of the Mau, said all the chiefs in Samoa were not then present at Vaimoso. Time was therefore required to fully consider the three points, but when the decision of the Mau was arrived at they would inform the Administrator, who is reply stated he would return to Vaimoso at ten to-morrow ((Tuesday) in the hope of hearing the decision. •Mr. 'Cojbbe struck a hopeful note, suggesting the blending of British laws and the best features of Samoan customs with a view to embodying them in the laws of the territory.