TAMASESE RELEASED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 680, 4 June 1929, Page 1

TAMASESE RELEASED

WELCOME FROM FOLLOWERS! AT GAOL GATES CHEERING IN QUEEN STREET Six months and six weeks to the day, Tamasese, the Samoan high chief, was released from confinement in Mount Eden gaol this morning. His appearance at the gaol gates was the scene for an extraordinary welcome from his supporters. Even the prisoners in Mount Eden cheered the chief as he left for the city. Tamasese’s wife, accompanied by over 40 of the chief’s supporters and prominent Samoans, arrived at the prison gates. Mrs. Tamasese went inside, and, promptly at 10 o’clock, the chief left the prison. He was welcomed briefly by the Hon. O. F. Nelson, and Mr. Hall Skelton, Tamasese’s counsel, introduced the Rev. A. G. Greenwood, of Edendale. Many people gathered outside the prison to watch the demonstration. Fourteen cars, bedecked in the purple ribbons of the Mau political organisation, took Tamesese and his followers into the city. In Queen Street, hundreds interesedly watched the arrival of the party. SAMOAN DRESS Clad in his white lavalava, with liberal Mau decorations, Tamasese’s tall figure stepped from the leading car. Three cheers were called for him. Some of the public joined with the Mau supporters. Tamasese immediately entered Mr. Nelson’s offices with his wife. Tomorrow, at 12.45 p.m., a demonstration will be held at the Civic Square. At 10 a.m. there is to be a thanksgiving service at St. Alban’s, Dominion Road. Among those who welcomed the chief were representatives of the New Zealand Samoa Defence League. Prominent figures in the crowd were Mr. Nelson and his five daughters, the Rev. Mr. Greenwood, Mr. Hall Skelton, Mr. W. Stevenson. Mr. George Reid, trader, of Pago Pago, American Samoa, High Chief Tauvao, of Apia, Messrs. Jensen, Westbrook and McFarland. Tamasese’s movements are uncertain at present. It is possible that he will leave with his wife and three small children fo'r Samoa as quickly as possible, but there are many arrangements to be made in Auckland. NO STATEMENT Interviewed by THE SUN, Tamasese had no statement to make on the Samoan political situation. While he was in prison, he was not allowed to receive any political communications. Today, there is a huge pile of correspondence from Mau leaders in Samoa waiting the chief’s attention. Tamasese said that he will not be able to make a statement until he is fully acquainted with Samoan affairs. He added that he had been 'excellently treated In Mount Eden gaol. Tamasese’s imprisonment has caused considerable agitation in New Zealand. Many public meetings have been held, particularly in Auckland. An application, on a writ of habeus corpus, was made in the Supreme Court for the chief’s release, but Mr. Justice Blair’s judgment was against the object of Tamasese’s followers. Tamasese was sentenced to six weeks’ hard labour for his refusal to pay the poll tax, and six months’ imprisonment on a charge of resisting arrest. He arrived in Auckland by the Tofua on Boxing Day, under the charge of Mr. C. A. Behrendsen, Secretary of Internal Affairs, who had been visiting Samoan territory with three public service investigators. When Tamasese returns to Samoa, it is stated, there is likely to be a huge celebration by the Mau faction. Tamasese’s village is only a short distance from Apia.