CHIEFS BANISHED

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 79, 24 June 1927, Page 9

CHIEFS BANISHED

Sensational Climax to Discontent in Samoa

TROUBLE MAY BE PRECIPITATED

SAMOAN discontent threatens to reach a climax in consequence of the banishment to Apolima of two chiefs of high rank. Private cabled advice received in Auckland to-day-states that serious trouble may now be precipitated.

/APPOSING parties in the differences in Samoa are the administration, with Major-General Sir George Richardson at its head, and a large body of Europeans and natives. Of the European “opposition,” the acknowledged leader is the Hon. O. F. Nelson, a prominent business man, whose firm, O. F. Nelson, Ltd., has a branch in Auckland. In charge of the local branch Is Mr. F. R. Bentley, who said, with the bene-

fit of his forty years’ experience of life in the Islands, that there was undoubtedly a great deal of dissatisfaction among large sections of the native and European population. INSULT TO THE RACE Another Auckland business man agreed with Mr. Bentley. He stated that the present administration was overruling the hereditary rights of the Samoan people, who had such regard for caste and rank that the latest development, the deportation of the chiefs, would be taken in the light of an insult. A further opinion was expressed by Mr. W. R. L. Vallance, well-known city lawyer, who recently returned from Samoa. Mr. Vallance said the Administration had managed to pass some amazing Legislation, giving it power to banish any natives who opposed, in any way, the policy it was pursuing. Now, by a further ordinance, that

power had been extended to cover Europeans, as well as natives. He knew of at least one case where, he considered, a serious miscarriage of justice had occurred. The natives appeared to be dissatisfied with the system by which they were now' governed. Neither the voice of the people, nor the hereditary rights of rank observed from genera* tion to generation, now carried any weight. The faipules, under the present system, were nominated by the Administration. One community had

openly protested against the nominee, and had appointed another man to take his place. The latter had, however, at once been threatened with banishment under the extraordinary powers conferred on the Administration. WELFARE LEAGUE ACTIVE Opposed to the Administration in Samoa is the Welfare League, w r hich has been agitating for an alteration in conditions. Such is its apparent popularity that, in a recent election for the three elective seats on the Samoan Legislative Council, Welfare League nominees scored by heavy majorities over the candidates standing in the Administration interests. The Welfare League, Committe, or Council, as it is variously called, is in no way opposed to British rule in Samoa. Indeed, it is fervently loyal to Britain, but it makes no effort to conceal its resentment at the militaristic and allegedly dictatorial tactics attributed to General Richardson. The two native chiefs now deported to Apolima are members of the committee, and according to this morning’s message widespread resentment has been aroused by their banishment. Mr. O. F. Nelson, a prominent figure in Samoan affairs, -will be in Auckland next month.