More Light on Samoa

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 131, 24 August 1927, Page 8

More Light on Samoa

Administrator Asks For a Royal Commission

“What Was the Date of His Telegram?

(THE SUN'S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. IT required but one breath from the Prime Minister to fan to I flame the smouldering embers of feeling on the Samoan question. The announcement of Mr. Coates in the House to-day, that the Government had decided to appoint a Royal Commission to investigate the trouble at the Islands was received with many doubts by the Labour Party , and a host of questions were asked in respect to the relation of the Commission to the select committee which is at present investigating the administration of the Mandate.

\|it. H. E. HOLLAND, Leader of the Opposition, asked whether the Prime Minister contemplated making a statement on the Samoa question, and whether, if and when making it, he would give an assurance that whatever action the Government might take would not interfere with the presentation of the report from the Joint Select Committee at present sitting. Mr. Holland also wished to know

whether, in the event of a Royal Commission, or any other commission, being appointed, provision would be made for the suspension of deportations, fmmshments and other punishments, until such time as the Royal Commission should have reported. As the Prime Minister would know, there were two witnesses in New Zealand at the present time who would be witnesses before the Commission, if it were set up. Mr. Holland wanted an assurance that if the Commission were set up, every witness would be protected, and that-there would be no further punishment until such time as the Commission should have reported. The Prime Minister replied that he would make a statement a little later on. The Prime Minister read the following telegram from the Administrator-of Western Samoa: “In view of the unwarranted untruths and sensational statements in Press concerning Samoa and the

petition to Parliament, purporting to have been made by natives concerning their administration, I should welcome fullest inquiry into any matter concerning administration of Western Samoa especially insofar as it concerns natives. I therefore strongly urge that the Government institute an impartial and independent inquiry into the matter referred to in that petition.”

Mr. Coates added: In view of the strong representations made by the Administrator, and in the belief that the course suggested by him will in the circumstances afford the most effective means of eliciting the true facts upon which the pres.ent agitation is based, and of justifying the Administrator and the Government of New Zealand in their exercise of the functions allotted them by the mandate of Western Samoa, the Government has decided to recommend to his Excellency that a Royal Commission should be appointed to inquire in Samoa into the matters in dispute. “I hope to be able to make a further statement in this connection in a day or two concerning the personnel of the commission.” Mr. H. E. Holland asked the Prime Minister to answer his question reI specting the suspension of deporta- ! tions. Mr. Coates: We cannot comply with your request. Mr. Holland: Will the committee be prevented from reporting to the House? Mr. Coates: It will use its own judgment. Mr. Holland: Would it not be better to have this committee report and then appoint the Royal Commission? Mr. Coates: This could be looked into, but it is not very vital. Mr. Holland: It is very vital. Why was the commission not appointed when the other matters came before the House? JVIr. D. G. Sullivan: Will you give us~the date of the telegram? Mr. Coates: I cannot. Mr. Holland took the opportunity on the Finance Bill to express dissatisfaction at the manner in which the Government had capitulated and agreed to appoint a Royal Commission to go to Samoa. He questioned Mr. Coates’s reticence in divulging the date of the radio from Sir George Richardson, and suggested that the message was two weeks old. Mr. Holland asked a pertinent question as to Sir George Richardson’s sudden desire for a commission, whereas only a short while ago he, together with tl t Government, had raised a strenuous protest against a Royal Commission on the ground that the mind of the native would be upset.