FOLLOWING UP

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 151, 16 September 1927, Page 13

FOLLOWING UP

MR. NELSON LEAVES COMMISSION AT SAMOA MUCH EVIDENCE TO BE HEARD j EAVING Auckland by the Marama to-day, the Hon. O. F. Nelson is following up the Royal Commission, which left for Samoa last Saturday. # By catching the Sierra at Sydney, Mr. Nelson expects to reach Samoa only a week after the commissioners. In a final interview with THE SUN this morning, Mr. Nelson said he was grateful to the press of New Zealand for the attention it had given to his complaints. Though he was sorry his motives had at times been misinterpreted, he had expected criticism, and had accepted it cheerfully. INQUIRY AT SAMOA Dealing with the inquiry at Samoa, he said the Citizens’ Committee would have little time to prepare its case if the commission decided to start within a day or two of reaching Samoa. However, if the administration’s side was heard first, that would afford some relief. He predicted that it would be found impossible for the commission to conduct a full investigation and still return, as had been hoped, by the Tofua on October 21. The Citizens’ Committee alone would have a large number of witnesses to call, including all the banished chiefs. Their counsel would also want to examine the faipules, and members of the administration. Would the administrator give evidence? That, said Mr. Nelson, was beyond his knowledge, but he had doubts.

His own evidence, he pointed out, would take many days to hear. In Wellington, at the Parliamentary inquiry, ho had. given evidence on 11 separate days for between three and six hours on each day. EVIDENCE OF PRISONERS

Mr. Nelson has received a telegram stating that, while imprisoned chiefs cannot be released, they will be allowed facilities to give evidence. The case for the Citizen’s Committee will be presented by Messrs. T. B. Slipper and F. E. Baxter. The former was, until a. year or so ago, a leading criminal lawyer in Wanganui, and Mr. Baxter is associated with an Auckland firm that has an office in Apia.

Mr. V. R. Meredith, of Auckland, will represent the Crown at the inqury.