SAMOAN TROUBLE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 95, 13 July 1927, Page 1

SAMOAN TROUBLE

CHIEFS ON TRIAL LETTERS FROM ADMINISTRATOR BANISHMENT ORDERS FURTHER news from Samoa was received by the Hon. O. F. Nelson, who is at present in Auckland, this morning. Tagaloa and Fuataga, two chiefs, threatened with banishment, are appealing to the court for protection, and their solicitor is challenging the validity of the ordinance under which their removal has been directed.

"These are the two chiefs,” saitl Mr. Nelson, “who were ordered to leave their homes some little time ago. The order was cancelled owing to a technical flaw in the terms of the summons. They have now been brought up again, but are not submitting without a vigorous assertion of their right to freedom.” He stated that he had received a correction of a messake receivel yesterday, when it was stated that the Chief Justice, Mr. Woodward, was appealing against the fine of £3 imposed on him. Apparently Mr. Woodward was not appealing. The incorrect impression was conveyed through the inexplicable omission of certain words from the telegram. LETTERS of administration To illustrate his contention that the methods of the Administration are high-handed, Mr. Nelson produced the originals of letters forwarded by the Administrator to persons of whose actions he disapproved. "The first letter.” he said, shows how high born natives are shorn of the titles which their rank allows them. To address a chief as a male : without any acknowledgment of his dignitv and position is an insult, and to order him to relinquish his family | name is a worse insult still, apart from the hardship imposed by making him leave his home village and remain m . another.” . , A letter to a trader, threatening cancellation of his licence, is also quoted. The following are the letters: Order of local banishment under the Samoan Offenders’ Ordinance, 19 To Lelafu. a Samoan male of the village of Falefa. I. George Spafford Richardson. Administrator of Western Samoa, being satisfied that the presence of vou. Lelafu. within the village of Falefa is likely to be a source of danger to the peace, order and good government thereof, do herebj in pursuance of the powers confeired on me by the above-mentioned 01dlnance, order that within seven

clays from the date hereof you leave the village of Falefa, in the island of Upolu, in Western Samoa, and reside and remain outside all villages of Western Samoa, except the village of Faleasi’u. in the island of Upolu, in Western Samoa, and furthermore, that you cease from using the title Lelafu, and in future be known by your original name of Tololi. (Signed) GEORGE SPAFFORD RICHARDSON. Administrator. The Taxation, Licensing and Revenue Amendment Ordinance Act, 1921. To Mr. S. V. McKenzie, Apia,— With reference to the recent efforts made to disaffect the natives in your district, and to influence them to support an organisation in opposition to the Government, thereby endangering the peace, order and good government of the native race of this territory, I am directed by his Excellency the Administrator to.inform you that he is in the possession of certain information which necessitates your being called upon to show good reason why your licence to trade within this territory should not be cancelled. Please forward your reasons to me direct, as early as possible. tSisned) H. BATES. Collector of Customs.