KNOCK FOR NELSON

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 380, 14 June 1928, Page 9

KNOCK FOR NELSON

WILL NOT BE HEARD SAMOA AND GENEVA MANDATES COMMISSION SITS (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian P.A.—United Service) Reed. 1.27 p.m. GENEVA. Wed. A secret meeting of the Mandates Commission was held today, when the Commission was informed that Mr. O. F. Nelson, of Samoa, had attempted to see one member with a view to submitting his petition. The Commission agreed that no member should see Mr. Nelson, and the Commission will not permit him to appear before it. The Commission opened its 13th session yesterday. The High Commissioner for New Zealand, Sir James Parr, and the late Administrator of Samoa. Sir George Richardson, will be present when the report is examined. Consideration will also be given to Mr. Newton Rowe's petition containing various complaints concerning the administration of the territory, and to another from the Anti-Slavery and Aborigines Protection Society dealing with the deportation of native chiefs. Both these petitions were received before the Royal Commission sat. A petition from certain Samoan natives, dated March, complaining of certain aspects of the administrator has been received, as well as a petition from Mr. Nelson dated April. This complains of the administration and of the measures taken against himself. NEW ZEALAND THANKED In his opening speech to-day the chairman, the Marchese Theodoli (Italy), referred to Samoa. He alluded with satisfaction to the promptitude with which the New Zealand Government had informed the Commission of recent developments. Sir James Parr had sent documents on several occasions and the New Zealand Government’s efforts to keep the Commission abreast of the situation was a matter of great moment. He thanked that Government for sending Sir George Richardson to Geneva. This afternoon the Com mission* will discuss the method of procedure to be adopted in dealing with the Samoan question on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week.