TURMOIL IN SAMOA.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17975, 21 March 1930, Page 7

TURMOIL IN SAMOA.

CHIEFS PROSECUTED

PERVERTING COURSE OF JUSTICE.

CONVICTED AND SENTENCED

(By Radio—Press Association-)

APIA, March 19

The four chiefs, Namulanula, Leleua, Autagavaia, and Alipia, appeared beorc Chief Judge Luxlord for sentence to-day. For firstly sending a letter containing a threat to kill to Lagolago and Ainu'u Tasl, and secondly conspiring anfl attempting t.n pervert, obstruct, and defeat the course of justice in the case of O. F. Nelson versus Wilson and Horton, Lid., -since discontinued, they were each convicted and sentenced to 17 months’ imprisonment .on each charge, the sentences to be concurrent. A "wanted" Samoan, Tupuivao, was sentenced to IS months’ imprisonment for .assault on Constable Peterson in January of last- year at Magiagi. W ; hen Peterson tried to arrest him, Tupuivao, who was running from the constable, struck a back-hand blow with a long knife, causing a deep wound in the constable’s head, necessitating a fortnight in hospital and absence from duly lor seven weeks. STATEMENT BY PREMIER. A HOPEFUL OUTLOOK. MILITARY POLICE DISBANDED. WELLINGTON, Thursday. The following statement with reference to the situation in Western Samoa was issued by the Prime Minister tonight:— On his return from "Western Samoa the Hon. J. G. Cobbe had a lengthy discussion on -the situation with me at Rotorua, and subsequently the question was discussed at a meeting of the Cabinet to-day. Mr Cobbe explained that the leaders of the Mau movement who have for -the past two or three years refused lo meet the Administrator in conference assembled at \aimoso and met the Administrate!, Mr S. S. Allen, the Minister of Defence, Mr Cobbe, ’and Commodore Blake on March 3 and four following days. The final result of the conference is that a majority of the members of the Mau have returned to their villages. The men wanted lof various oIT cnees came in and surrendered themselves to the police for trial. It is likely that on an early date convenient to all parties the Administrator and a number of representative chiefs will meet in l’ono for a discussion of matters of -importance to Samoa. In view of the improved situation, the Government has decided that it will be unnecessary for the force of 'military police now at Trentham lo proceed to the territory, and they are accordingly being disbanded forthwith The Government and the Administrator intend to exert every effort to ensure that the present promising condition of affairs is fully maintained, and nothing will he wanting on their part to meet any legitimate complaints by -the Samoans. It-is to -lie hoped that misleading propaganda carried on from New Zealand, which has done so much both to promote and to continue discord in Samoa, will now c-case. it would be a crime if -the prospect of permanent peace in that country were shattered by the work of a few outsiders. DEATH OF MOLIA. RICKETTS ACQUITTED. (By Radio —Press Association.) APIA, March 19. Lance-Corporal llicketls was acquitted to-day by a Court of four assessors of manslaughter relative lo the death of the Samoan Molia, who was shot by Ricketts during an affray with the police on January 22, and died on January 27 in the Apia Hospital. The Court’s finding was that Ricketts was justified in firing at Molia for protection, believing his life was in danger. The Samoa Act provides for the Court sitting with four assessors in all cases where an accused person has pleaded not guilty to an offence punishable by death or by imprisonment for more than five years. No person can be convicted unless the conviction is concurred in by not less than three assessors, and if the Court is of opinion that the accused should not be convicted, and if less than three of the assessors concur in his conviction the accused shall be acquitted. POINTS SUBMITTED BY MAU. REQUEST TO ADMINISTRATOR. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The final meeting at Apia on March 7 of Mau representatives and the authorities resulted in the former submitting 17 points to the Administrator, who promised to consider them. They contained complaints that no reply had been received to petitions to the King, the New Zealand Government, the League of Nations, and others; asked for free pardons to all hut murderers, and a fair trial; expressed dissatisfaction with the coroner’s verdict on the death of Tamasesc and olhers; made charges against the police of ill-treatment; and, finally, wanted to know why Samoa could not run its own Government, with the right to seek the protection of a great Power with which they were satisfied. SENTENCE ON SOLICITOR. PLEA BY SAMOAN WOMEN. WOULD BEAR HIS PUNISHMENT. Staling thn.t Mr T. B. Slipper merely signed their letter to the Administrator as their lawyer, and that they were wholly and alone lo blame for his imprisonment. four lending Samoan women, wives and widows of the high eiiiefs, have written to the Administrator, Mr S. S. Allen, offering to pay t.he £lO5 fine, and undergo the three Übrntinued io next columnU _

months’ imprisonment to which Mr Slipper was sentenced. Mr T. B. Slipper, solicitor for the Mau, was sentenced to two terms of three months’ imprisonment, and fined £lO5 on charges of publishing a defamatory libel against the. Administrator. and’ of using abusive and insulting words lo the Administrate]- as a member or the Legislative Council of Western Samoa. A letter, signed by 1200 Samoan women, who claim that, they had instructed Mr Slipper to write iho letters and conduct the interviews, was forwarded Dio AdminUU-alrtf,