STRONG ACTION IN SAMOA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 866, 9 January 1930, Page 1

STRONG ACTION IN SAMOA

Government Issues Ultimatum ORDER TO BE ENFORCED Surrender Of Wanted Men Demanded rli issue of an ultimatum warning disaffected Samoans I t.hat they must return to their homes, and demanding the surrender of men wanted on criminal charges, marks a new chapter in the drama of New Zealand's administration of the mandated territory. The Government has declared its intention of using a minimum of force, but the« departure of H.M.S. Dunedin, carrying one of the new amphibian planes, indicates a determination to give the ultimatum the necessary emphasis.

Press Association WELLINGTON", Wednesday. "The Government ie convinced that the fullest consideration and the utmost patience have been accorded to the Mau, and that it would be failing in its duty it it did not now take all necessary steps to assert the law and to preserve ordar tn the territory,'' said the Prime IHuister. Sir Joseph Ward, in a statement issued today. The Government, he says, has been in close consultation with the Administrator. “Ample warning had been given to the Mau, which had been advised time and again of the Government’s desire to be generous, conciliatory, and sympathetic as soon as the Mau's defiance of the law was abandoned. It has been made abundantly clear that if the Mau has any real grievances—which ia not believed to be the case—the Government has been at all times, and still is, willing and anxious to consider them as soon as the attitude of the Mau should make this possible. "But it is unfortunately true that tha Mau and its supporters both in New Zealand and Samoa have in their deliberate course of lawlessness been trading on the natural reluctance of any Government in this country to use force agai'Mt misguided natives except as a final resort. “With the. death at the hands of the Mau of a New Zealand constable during the execution of his duty, the situation has materially altered, and ia collaboration with the Adminstrator, tho Government will now proceed to take such action as may be necessary. The Administrator has accordingly been authorised to deliver to the Mau a list of those men wanted on criminal charges, and to require that they should within five days be handed over to the Administrator for trial. Failing compliance, the necessary steps will be taken to arrest them. "The Administrator has also been authorised to notify all the members of the Mau congregated at Vaimoso and Lepea to leave that locality within five days and return to their homes, and to take the necessary action to ensure that the centres of Mau disaffection in those districts are broken up. In effecting these objects, the

Government and Administrator will use the minimum of force.” The Prime Minister further stated that. H.M.S. Dunedin had left Auckland for Samoa. DUNEDIN TAKES PLANE WARSHIP SAILS FOR SAMOA FULL COMPLEMENT CARRIED When H.M.S. Dunedin steamed out of Auckland narbour bound for Samoa at 8.40 o’clock last evening, she carried a seaplane. The machine was in charge of Flight-Lieutenant S.. Wallingford and two mechanics, Corporals H. Smith and F. Sorrell, of the New Zealand Air Force. With the exception of five, all the cruiser’s complement, who had been on leave, rejoined the ship. The vacancies were filled by men from the Philomel. “POLICY IS WRONG” LABOUR M.P.’S MESSAGE Protesting against the Government's ultimatum to the Mau and tho dispatch ot the Dunedin to Samoa, Mr. W. E. Barnard. Labour RI.P. tor Napier, has telegraphed the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, today. The message was as follows: “While appreciating the difficulties of the Samoan position and the necessity for the establishment and maintenance of law and order. I beg to suggest that the Government’s proposals, as outlined in the Press today t are not calculated to secure the desired result. “I believe that, in the circumstances, the backing of demands by threat of the use of armed force is a wrong policy, but settlement of the unrest would be best promoted by a conference with the Mau representatives, and the prestige of New Zealand, and of the Government, would be enhanced by such a departure from the policy of the present and the former Governments, which have produced neither order nor contentment.”