THE WESTERN PACIFIC.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10415, 8 September 1911, Page 3

THE WESTERN PACIFIC.

i HICH COMMISSIONER'S COURT. By Telegraph — Press Association. I / ■ •, AUCKLiANID, -Last Nigjhif. '' The High.OomtmjisisijOiner's Court of the Western Pacdifro locaupiied: six I dtois. at Tonga, wttith <in acitaon, on. be- j ihalf tof flour thousand 'member® of the Nia/tiiive Go-operative' Association against (Ma- QaanpbeDil, itihe British Ctonisiul, audi Ifcwo 'English officials of the Tongjan Gtoverntment, Mr. Roberts, AuiditornGemeral, and Mr Humphreyis, (Joverniment Account- j lain*.The defence was. that '.what was. done was according to the law of Tonga, aaild lan ordinance, enacted ItWiis year made nit illegal to bring (this action; aisio < that defendants (had not acted with, comimon purpose .to wreak the Association!. 'HKis Honour Jailed to find anything to prove that Campbell was the prime mover, and dli&missecL the enlarge agaimist Mini. Rjobertsi and Humphreys contended that ithtey were the servants of the ''Government, and acted under i dii/rectiion. It wag .stated by courosel that i,t! oast Ithe liquidators £3500 to pay a dividend of £ISOO. • ■ The. case against ,Bjobei*tsi and Humphreys wars also dismissed ; but Mortice of aropeal was given. ' .The Auckland Star 5 ® JFijSi corresiponidentt says the. decision of the Court had a profound effect on, the natives, and only the presence of a warship, and the earnest appeals of friendgi of the case prevented a serious' disturbance. The .trustees of (the •Company have . applied to Chief Justice Skeem for a. suspension of (the ordinances passed to restrain the formation, of a Native Association. _ This ;wasi ©ranted until (the Legislative AissemMy meets. The result was a requisition to the King to dismiss. Mr Justice Skeen and' the Mfinrister of Pelioe-. Kding diedained., ibaiit- ,next day Cabinet discussed the disimissal amd the. result was a deadlock. But later Roberts, who is aiLse to assiist the Premier, was, dismissed.