CONFERENCE WITH MAU

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 913, 5 March 1930, Page 9

CONFERENCE WITH MAU

NATIVES TO CONSIDER THREE POINTS DECISION NOV/ AWAITED Press Association APIA, Monday. At 10 o’clock this morning the Administrator of Western Samoa, Mr. S. S. Allen, and the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, New Zealand Minister of Defence, who is now in the territory, met. the leading chiefs, Tuimalealiifano, and Faumuina and others at a big gathering of the Mau at Vaimoso. The conference lasted one and a-half hours. The Administrator, Mr. Cobbe, and Faumuina were the only speakers. The meeting was quiet, orderly and respectful. HOPE OF SETTLEMENT Mr. Allen and the Minister stressed the fact that law and order were essential in Samoa. They expressed a hope of a settlement of the trouble and said the Government desired that peace and prosperity should prevail in Samoa. Mr. Allen gave the Mau three points for consideration:—(1) That the Mau shall end. (2) Thafthe wanted men must . be surrendered. (3) That the Administrator would meet when required the leading representative chiefs for the people of Samoa to discuss all matters for the benefit of the people. Faumuina was spokesman for the Mau. He said all the chiefs iu Samoa were not then present at Vaimoso. Time therefore was required to fully consider the three points, but when the decision of the Mau was arrived at he would inform the Administrator. Mr. Allen stated he would return to Vaimoso at 10 o’clock tomorrow (Tuesday) in the hopes of hearing the decision. Mr. Cobbe struck a hopeful note, suggesting a blending of British laws and the best features of Samoan customs with a view of embodying them in the laws of the territory. SOLICITOR CONVICTED IMPRISONMENT AND FINE LIBEL IN LETTER Press Association APIA, Monday. Before the Chief Judge, Mr. J. IT. Luxford, this morning Thomas Slipper, barrister and solicitor for Apia, was convicted on two charges: Firstly, publishing a defamatory libel against the Administrator. He was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment and fined £lO5. Secondly, using abusive and insulting words toward and in respect of a member of the legislative Council. On this charge he was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, the sentences to be concurrent. The charge arose from a letter sent by Slipper on the instruction of several Samoan women clients relative to a meeting at Mulinuu a fortnight ago between the Administrator, Mr. S. S. Allen, Commodore Blake, and Samoan women, who complained of harsh treatment to women and children and destruction of property in houses and villages by naval search parties. The women were dissatisfied with the meeting and instructed Slinner to write a letter of complaint to the Administrator and to send three copies, one each to the Prime Minister, the Chief Judge and Commodore Blake, which constituted publication and was admitted by Slinper. This letter contained the words complained of. The Judge, in imposing sentence, stressed the present political unrest. He would not accept Slipper’s defence of nrivilege. Mr. Andrews prosecuted and Slipper conducted his own defence. SAMOAN ADMINISTRATION NEW SECRETARY APPOINTED Press Association WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The Prime Minister today announced the appointment of Mr. A. C. Turnbull, secretary of the Public Service Commissioner’s office, as secretary to the Administration in Western Samoa, in succession to Mr. G. W. Clinkard, who was recently appointed secretary of the Department of Industries -and Commerce. It is stated that Mr. Turnbull will leave for Apia toward the end of this month, and that Mr. Clinkard will arrive in New Zealand about the middle of April.