What Is The "Malo"?

Pertinent Questions About Samoa

A TOUGH task was given to Dr. R. M.

Campbell, economic adviser to the N.Z. High Commissioner, when he submitted the Western Samoa annual report to the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations at Geneva in January.

Some apparently well-informed mem bers of the Commission asked a series of questions—especially relating to the activities in Samoa of Mr. Nelson and his family—which Dr. Campbell was unable to answer.

M. Palacios said that, while everything seemed to indicate that the Mau held a predominant position in the territory and were regarded with favour by New Zealand, the Commission had received reports and information, mainly from the press, mentioning an anti-Mau move ment called the Malo. He asked Whether it was true that the Malo was as strong in numbers and influence as “the organ isation dominated by Mr. O. F Nelson and his son-in-law, Tamasese”.

Dr. Campbell replied that, in general, the political situation was calm and nor mal. It appeared that the new Mau had been over-publicised and did not, at pre sent, represent more than 3i per cent of the Samoans. The Mau was still the or ganisation representing the greater ma jority of the native Samoan population It would be interesting to hear the opinion of a few men in Apia, concern ing Dr. Campbell’s answer. It has been stated, repeatedly, that the Malo is near ly the equal of the Mau. To say the Malo is only 3i per cent, of the Sa moans, while the Mau is 51 per cent (the “greater majority”) seems to indicate that there has been vigorous lying some where.