A. —4b.

Memorandum for the Secretary to the Administration. Police and Prisons Department, Bth August, 1927. Refusal of Passports to Natives desiring to visit New Zealand. On 13th December, 1926, I received an application from the following Samoan Natives to leave Samoa for New Zealand : Ainu'u, Faumuina, Tofaeno, Alipia, Tuisila, Lago Lago. They gave as a reason for their application that they wished to travel to New Zealand as delegates of the Native committee to interview the Hon. Minister of External Affairs and lay before him certain complaints of Samoan Natives. They stated that they had been appointed at a public meeting held in Apia. It is the policy to carefully question the details of any Samoan Native visiting European countries, and especially so in the case of those Samoans who have never been away from Samoa before. In answer to questions, they stated that the complete expenses of their journey would be paid by the Citizens Committee, and they wished to leave Samoa by the January, 1927, steamer, and they only expected to be away from Samoa for two months. They stated that the Hon. Minister of External Affairs had radioed that he would receive them, as described in Citizens Committee circular, 0 le Fono Tele a Samoa I Sisifo." I pointed out to them that they apparently had been misinformed about the radio received. I had a translation made from the English to the Samoan language, which was read over to them. This was the first time that they had read the complete radio. (Please find attached English and Samoan copy.) I pointed out that a journey to New Zealand for the reason stated would be useless unless the provisions of the radio were complied with. I asked if the Native committee, or any other representations, had been placed before His Excellency the Administrator. They replied that they had not; they wished to place them before the Hon. Minister himself. I pointed out that they must respect the Hon. Minister's orders on the subject, otherwise any journey to New Zealand would be useless and therefore unnecessary. Further, I advised them that in the case of Faumuina and Ainu'u a banishment order against them was in force confining them to their villages until the 25th February, 1927, and until that had expired or been cancelled ncf passport could be issued; and in the case of Lago Lago no passport could be issued, because New Zealand Immigration Restriction Act provides that a person who has been convicted for a criminal offence punishable by one year's imprisonment would not be permitted to enter New Zealand until two years have elapsed since the completion of the term of imprisonment. Lago Lago had been convicted for theft of money, punishable by five years' imprisonment. He had been sentenced to one year's imprisonment, and the two-year interval does not expire until June, 1927. Also, that an inquiry was to be held in reference to the financial operations of the Tu'ufaatasi and Toeaina Trading Company, of which Lago Lago was a director. Lago SLago would be r'equired to give evidence. In the case of Tofaeono, Tuisila, and Alipia, I advised them that not having shown that they had a reasonable object in visiting New Zealand, and their understanding of the communication from Hon. Minister was obviously misunderstood, a passport would be refused until such time as it could be shown that they would be received by the Minister in New Zealand. It was indicated very clearly in the radio that the Minister would not consider any representation until he had personally investigated in consultation with the Administrator in Samoa. I explained to the three last named that if they could show that they would be received in New Zealand by the Hon. the Minister, or they had any other reason in visiting New Zealand, then a passport would be issued. No further explanation was made by the applicants. They appeared to be very disappointed and left my office. On the 24th December, 1926, I received the attached letters from Messrs. Wilson, Wynward, and Baxter, solicitors, Apia. A copy of my reply is attached hereto. I have received no further application for passports from the persons mentioned since that time. A. L.|Braisby, Inspector of Police.

Police and Prisons Department, 29th December, 1926. Wynward, Wilson, and Baxter, Barristers and Solicitors, Apia. Re Ainu'u, Tofaeono, Alipia, Tuisila, Lago Lago, Faumuina. Gentlemen, — I beg to inform you that, in reference to your letter of 24th inst. herein, permits to leave Samoa will not be issued to above-mentioned until Hon. Minister of External Affairs, New Zealand, intimates, in accordance with his telegram, that he is ready to receive them. Yours faithfully, A. L. Braisby, Inspector of Police.

LVI