O. F. Nelson

Banishment Cancelled—To Return to Samoa

A RADIO message was received in Apia (Western Samoa) on April 2 by O. F.

Nelson and Company, Limited, from Mr, O. F. Nelson, that he had met the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, at Wellington, and Mr. Savage had assured him of his un conditional return to Samoa very shortly— at the very latest, four months hence. Mr.

Nelson asked the firm to inform his fam ily’s friends and the Mau.

It is reported that there is great jubila tion among the Mau adherents, while Samoan supporters of the Government ex press disagreeable surprise.

It will be remembered that a court in Samoa, in 1934, after lengthy proceedings, found Mr. O. F. Nelson guilty of seditious activities, and sentenced him to 18 months’ imprisonment and 10 years’ banishment from Samoa. The sentence of imprison ment was quashed by an appeal court in New Zealand.