Samoan Front

All Quiet On The Western

Mr. Nelson Gives a Party

From a Special Correspondent APIA, Sept. 1.

HAVING stirred officialdom to a frenzy, and brought the New Zea land Government to a serious considera tion of whether it would not perhaps be better if the edict of banishment were renewed, Mr. O. F. Nelson gave a mag nificent party at his home, “Tuaefu,” near’ Apia, and apparently put everyone into a good temper.

He invited all the prominent officials to his party, and all attended. Memories of the exasperations and irritations of the past month were drowned in un limited hospitality. A feature of the refreshment buffet was Mr. Nelson’s “home-brew,” which was put up in bottles bearing the subjoined label:

Tuaefu Brew

Students of recent Samoan history will examine the label with pleasure and profit. Especially will they appreciate the dove of peace and the Latin motto.

No better illustration of the extra ordinary state of affairs in this territory could be provided than the sight of leading officials of the Administration strolling about the beautiful gardens of “Tuaefu,” with leading members of the Mau, apparently in perfect amity. Yet it is only a few weeks since European officials and the Mau leaders apparently were ready to claw each other’s eyes out.

But European planters and traders, viewing the proceedings from afar, said words which are unfit for publication.

The Mau delegation is getting ready to sail to New Zealand to lay its list of before the N.Z. Govern ment. It is reported that Mr. Nelson has decided not to accompany the delegation.

No reason is given; but it would not be surprising to learn that our friend has received from official quarters in New Zealand a pointed intimation that in the circumstances his presence in Wellington as a member of the delegation would be an embarrassment to the statesmen who planned the “Goodwill Mission.”

Mr. Gordon Thomas, editor of the “Rabaul Times,” is expected to arrive in Sydney by the Neptuna in mid- September. Mr. Thomas is the best known newspaper correspondent in the Mandated Territory of New Guinea, and many people and institutions in Sydney probably will be glad to meet him. It is four years since Mr. Thomas visited Sydney.