Samoan Mau Harasses N.Z.

Prime Minister

Extraordinary Political Ferment Follows “Reforms” of “Goodwill Mission”

W/ESTERN SAMOA is in a ferment again.

For several years, while Samoa was ruled in muddle-headed fashion by a Conser vative New Zealand government, a fierce agitation was maintained by the Mau (otherwise the radicals, or nationalists, or revolutionaries), one leader of which was Mr. O. F. Nelson, who was deported.

Then a Socialist (government took power in N.Z. It returned Mr. Nelson to Samoa, and sent there also a well-intentioned, footling “Goodwill Mission,” which gave political recognition to the Mau, and allowed that body to understand that it virtually would govern Samoa in future. That was in July last.

The “Mission” went back to New Zealand, and said that it had settled all Samoa’s troubles and established political peace.

The P.I.M. challenged that statement, and asserted that the Mission had made confusion worse confounded. The Prime Minister of N.Z., in September, said that the Editor of the P.I.M. did not know what he was talking about. Since then; — 1. The Mau has taken charge of the Samoan native parliament (fono), and has behaved in so high-handed and irresponsible a fashion that it has aroused the sharp hostility of both the European and the moderate Samoan communities. 2. The European community has formed anew party to protect itself. 3. The moderate Samoan section, angered especially by an insult to High Chief Malietoa, is forming anew Party to resist the Mau.

The New Fono Causes

A Stir

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Oct. 22.

AMONG the concessions granted to the Samoans during the visit of the New Zealand “Goodwill Mission” in July was the election of a new Native Parliament (Fono of Faipule ) by the various districts of Samoa, to be convened on September 30. The previous parliament, which con sisted of Faipule appointed by the Admini strator, and in consequence composed of “loyalists” only, was to continue in session, conjointly with the newly elected parlia ment, until the close of its regular legisla tive period (another 18 months) with the proviso that if the old Faipule resigned, they were to be paid for these 18 months at their normal rate of pay, £10 per year.

On September 30 the new Fono was opened at Mulinu’u. The Acting Admini strator (Mr. A. C. Turnbull) was present.

The 34 former “loyalist” Faipule sat with the newly elected Faipule, numbering 39.

At the close of the first session it was announced that the old Faipule would re sign and leave the field to the new Faipule.

The former were then paid for their un ,expired 18 months (£15 each —a total of £510).

The new Fono, composed of 31 Mau members and 8 “loyalists,” then despatched a wireless message to the Prime Minister of New Zealand, asking a guarantee that the new method of electing the Faipule, instead of appointing them, should be fixed by legislation in N.Z.

On receipt of this guarantee the Fono resumed its sittings.

Through its appointed speaker, a young chief named Alipia, who is a prominent member of the Mau, the Fono then decided to radio the following remits to the N.Z.

Government: 1. That the High Chiefs, Malietoa and Tuimalealiifano, be appointed Fautua (ad visers to the Government) and that Mr.

O. ,P. Nelson be appointed Fa’atonu (Adviser and liaison officer between the Administra tion and the Samoans) and that the two Fautua and the Fa’atonu together attend and take part in the Fono.

2, That all Chinese be sent away from Samoa.

The Prime Minister replied, approving of the appointment of the two Fautua. Re garding the appointment of Mr. Nelson, he said that Mr. Nelson could stand as a European candidate for the next election to the Legislative Council. If, however, he wanted to act as Samoan representative, Fa’atonu or Faipule, he must change his status to that of a Samoan, or act as ad viser to the Faipule in an unofficial ca pacity.

Regarding the Chinese problem, the Prime Minister stated that the present contract with the Chinese labourers does not expire for a year and that the “Good will Delegation” has recommended for con sideration that no further contract with Chinese be made.

The Fono proceeded.

(Continued On Page 50)

A Matter Of Fees

During the visit of the “Goodwill Mis sion” the Man had agreed to an annual payment of £ls for each Faipulc and, in addition, a sustenance allowance of 8/per day.

This did not prevent the Faipule from suddenly proposing that their pay be £6O per annum and a sustenance allowance of 14/- per day, and from haggling for several days over these new demands.

Eventually, they made their claim £36 per annum (subject to investigation by a special Finance Board) plus sustenance allowance of 8/- per day.

Alipia criticised the high salaries of European officials as compared with the small remuneration of native officials.

The Acting Administrator replied that the European officials had to be paid ac cording to the work they performed, and their ability, and that the rates were simi

lar to those paid in other territories. In any event, the officials were appointed by New Zealand, and the Fono had no control over them.

Alipia said that the European officials were paid with the money of the Samoans.

Mr. Turnbull replied that the money came also from Europeans.

Insult To Malietoa

A remit was advanced by the Fono, to appoint as Samoan members of the Legis lative Council Mr. Nelson (Taisi), Fau muina Fiame, Tamasese and Tualatula; and to ask the present Samoan representa tive in the Council (Hon. Malietoa Tanu, 0.8. E.) to resign.

A letter was read from the representa tives of the Malietoa Family—the highest and most influential clan of ancient Royal blood —lodging a solemn and dignified pro test against the unprecedented action of the Fono, in proposing to deny representa tion in the highest offices of the country to the Malietoa family.

A dramatic scene then took place.

In spite of endeavours of the Fono, to induce him to withdraw and to disregard the protest, High Chief Malietoa, in a pas sionate and impressive speech, reviewed the, long years of service he had given to Samoa.

“J have not been appointed by you Fai pule,” he exclaimed, “but by the King of England, and the Government of New Zea land, and my services and work for Samoa have been recognised by the award of the Order of the British Empire. What is your reason for trying to remove me from my office? I shall not resign at your request and just to make room for somebody else.”

Prime Minister’S Reply

The matter was left at that; but the Fono pressed upon the N.Z. Government

its wish that Mr. Nelson should be one of its representatives on the Council.

By this time the Prime Minister of N.Z. was getting a little w-eary of it. On Octo ber 16, this clear and concise despatch from him was read to the Fono :— “Imperative that Government should be appraised of any difference existing among the Samoans in order that it may be pos sible to assist in amicable settlement of such difficulties.

“Regarding Samoan representatives on the Legislative Council, Malietoa’s position was never in question and definite under standing of Goodwill Mission was that num ber of representatives was to be increased to four, making it necessary to consider three new appointments.

“By virtue of his status as a European, Mr. Nelson is not eligible for appointment to such a position and, therefore, he can not be accepted as a nominee.

“Tamasese, Faumuina, and Tuala are eligible and acceptable, and Government’s intention is that when their appointments are confirmed they will hold office until next election.

“With regard to request of Faipules that Malietoa be asked to relinquish his position on the Council, the Government would greatly regret omission from the Council of representative of extensive and import ant Malietoa line.”

Administrator Is Firm

This was not accepted gracefully by the Fono. The speaker, Alipia, in sharp con trast with the usual courteous and dignified speech of the Samoan orator, went so far as to blame the Acting-Administrator for lack of consideration and goodwill to the Fono, and in a disrespectful tone he de manded that a wireless message be sent to the N.Z. Government asking for the im

mediate appointment of anew Adminis trator.

Mr. Turnbull strongly reprimanded Alipia for the lack of respect and courtesy he had shown, which offended against all Samoan tradition and dignity. He told the Fono that he would not be intimidated by any body, and would do his duty to the Govern ment.

The demand for anew Administrator was not mentioned again.

The Fono, early, had discussed the re organisation of Native Government, the re-election of Pulenu’us (Village heads) and the election of native district planta tion inspectors, native district judges, native village policemen and native clerks, all of which offices had been abolished dur ing the last 10 years owing to the political dissension amongst the natives.

An interesting episode occurred when Speaker Alipia criticised the despatch of wireless reports to the N.Z. Government by the Acting Administrator, informing the Government of remits and discussions, before final decisions were reached by the Fono.

The Acting Administrator sharply de clared that this statement was unwarrant ed, as he was in duty bound to report im portant matters as they occurred, and he would not submit his reports to the cen sorship of the Fono.

For the same reason, the Fono attempted to prevent the despatch of press wireless reports dealing with debates and discus sions.

Demand For Delegation

The remit of the Fono , on October 19, that the European district officers and con stables should be withdrawn and replaced by native Samoan officials, caused new difficulties.

The Acting Administrator was unable to give the Faipule any definite information concerning the attitude of the N.Z. Go vernment in the matter.

The Faipule then requested the Acting Administrator to inform the Prime Minis ter by wireless, that, in view of failure to reach an understanding on various im portant questions in connection with the re-organisation of Government services, the Fono wished to despatch a delegation to New Zealand to discuss personally the various remits of the Fono with the Prime Minister. They proposed a delegation of seven including the Acting Administrator, Alipia, Lieataua, Taisi (Mr. Nelson), Tama sese, Faaumuina, Vuiamato (Mr. Amato Stowers, President of the Local-Born Labour Party). Mr. Stowers was subse quently dropped from the list of nominees, and High Chief Malietoa added.

The Prime Minister’s lengthy reply was read to the Fono on October 22. He said that the N.Z. Government was extremely disappointed to learn of the suspicious attitude adopted by the Faipule towards the Administration. The views of the Go vernment had been made clear by the “Goodwill Mission” and it was regretted that the Fono did not appear to be willing to accept those assurances in the spirit in which they were given by the Mission.

“In the considered opinion of the Go vernment,” proceeded the despatch, “a delegation of Samoans to New' Zealand is quite unnecessary and if events prove that there ought to be direct contact between Samoan representatives and the N.Z. Go vernment it would be more effective and convenient for Government representatives again to visit Samoa.

“The Government wants to know wheth er the Faipule really appreciate the ad vantage accruing to them from their direct association with New Zealand. Tonga, for instance, is in a much worse position and has no shipping facilities similar to Samoa, but has to pay a monthly subsidy

of £2OO to be able to export bananas, which subsidy has to be borne by the growers.

“The decisions given to the remits of the Fono and conveyed by the Acting Admini strator are the decisions of the N.Z. Go vernment, which has not only the benefit of the Acting Administrator’s sympathetic attitude towards and knowledge of Samoa, but also the advantage of advice from the Goodwill Mission.

“The Prime Minister conveys the sincere hope that for the remainder of this Fono business will be conducted in that spirit of co-operation which was so manifest during the visit of the delegation, and that such business can be concluded within the next few days.”

The Fono decided to take time off to con sider this despatch; and the latest de velopment is that a petition embodying the Fono demands, and signed by all the

Faipule, will be sent by this mail to the N.Z. Government,

“Government Inspectors! ”

The members of the new Mau Fono had to wait three days for a despatch from New

Zealand. They did not waste their time.

With the permission of the Acting-Ad ministrator, they visited various Govern ment departments, offices, the hospital, various schools and the Vaimea prison.

They were carted around in three large motor buses, and apparently immensely en joyed their new dignity as “Government Inspectors”—though their activities did not exactly please the inspected Govern ment officials. (Reports of further proceedings by the Fono. after October 19, are published on page 61.).