A.—4b.

Administration of Western Samoa, Police and Prison Department, Apia, Samoa, 15th November, 1926. Memorandum for the Secretary to the Administration. Re Report of Inspector A. L. Braisby, in reference to a Public Meeting held at Market Hall, Apia, 12th November, 1926. I respectfully wish to render a report on the which was a continuation of a public meeting held at Market Hall, Apia, 15th October, 1926, on which a previous report has been rendered. The meeting commenced at 8 p.m., and concluded at 11.25 p.m. The following conveners of the original meeting occupied the platform : Hon. 0. F. Nelson, M.L.C. (chairman) ; Hon. G. E. L. Westbrook, M.L.C. ; Hon. A. Williams, M.L.C. The chairman was not appointed by the audience present. By 8.30 p.m. there was a total of approximately 430 persons in the Hall, made up as follows : Europeans and half-castes, 104 ; European and half-caste females, 4 ; Native Samoans, male and female, 332 : total, 430. Please find list of names of Europeans attached hereto, marked " A." Of this number, approximately seventy-five were young Native boys and girls who had casually entered the hall. Nelson, Hon. O. F., M.L.C. Easthope, 11. Williams, Mlfnu. Olderhaver, jun. (chairman). Gabauer, H., sen. Cross (tourist). Hoeflich, Max. Westbrook, G. E. L. Herderson. Hawk, C. V. Brunt, 1' . Williams, A. Pleasants, 11. Crane. Yallop, H. M. Sapsford. Menzies. Reid, R. Caine, J. T. Rogers, R. J. Burnett. Adams, C. Johnston, J. Meacham. MeFall. Mann, G. Dean, C. C. Allen, H. ' Carter, R. J. Tui, G. Robertson, E. Woodward, Judge. Carter, jun. Ulberg, P. Johansson, B. MeKnight, Dr. Butler, Elder, L.D.S. Ulberg, O. Gascoigne, J. Ritchie, H. P. Netzler, Gus. Pearman, L. King, A. Watson, W Meredith, A. Keil, Hans. Kruse, F. McFarlan L. Netzler. Phillips, sen. Ulberg, E. Gurr, E. W. Robinson, E.| Parsons, T. Carruthers, I. H. tjmythe, A. G. Netzler, J. Godinet, F. Fabricious, P. C. Cobcroft, A. Helg, F. Godinet, L. Allen, R. Mver, K. Kruse, R. Godinet. Sydall, H. A. Baxtjr, F. Swenke, Max. McCarthy, A. Hunken, K. Meredith, S. H. Betham, H. Gardiner, C. Williams, A. Don, J. Morrison (school). Crichton. Johnston, W. E. Allen, T. Kohlasse. McKenzie, 8. V. Newland. Churchward, G. Meredith, F. Ladies. Chisholm. Alexander, A. R. Felix. Miss N. Caine. Labban. Christmas. Klinkmueller, G. Miss S. Jennings. Anderson. Burton, E. J. Hall, C. E. Mrs. Anderson. Paul, E. Halcrow. Lober, jun. Mrs. S. H. Meredith. Mills, J. Coe, R. Meredith, P. Helg, J. Bernard. Olderhaver, sen. European police on duty, 4. Business was commenced by Hon. 0. F. Nelson commencing to address the audience. This was interrupted by Hon. A. McCarthy, Acting-Secretary to the Administration, who notified the chairman and audience that he wished to say a few words before the meeting opened, and to read a message from His Excellency the Administrator. Mr. McCarthy spoke to the audience, and said that it was His Excellency's wish that public officials take no active part in the meeting. Mr. McCarthy then read his Excellency's letter. I regret to inform the people that, owing to the Natives being drawn into the recent political meeting, misunderstandings have occurred, and the Natives are unsettled on certain matters. Being Administrator of these islands and personally responsible for the peace, order, and good government of the country, I consider a serious error ha 3 been made in asking the Samoans to discuss politics which affect only the Europeans. Freedom of speech and honest criticism of the Government are not barred in any way; they are British privileges to which no exception can be taken. Unwarranted attacks, however, on the Faipules, the leaders of the Samoan race, cannot be passed over by me without it being misunderstood by the Natives. I wish certain persons to clearly understand that. The effect of bringing the Natives into the European political arena is unwise and likely to cause trouble. It is a simple matter to upset a Native race which is composed of many factions, like the Samoan race, and I ask Europeans not to do it. If you persist, you are doing a thing unheard-of in the annals of colonial administration, and are almost certain to discredit the European community in the eyes of the outside world. The inevitable result must be to disturb the peace, order, and good government of the Territory. Every person knows what that means. I ask the Europeans to confine themselves to those matters which concern them, and to leave alone those matters which concern them not. To the Natives, I wish to inform them that they have the fullest freedom to bring their complaints before the Government by the proper channels. I cannot, nor can the New Zealand Government, receive complaints from the Natives save those coming through their own properly constituted channels, such as the District Councils and Fono of Faipule. Every Native can rest assured of the fullest hearing and the utmost consideration in any matter brought forward in the proper way. Chief and Taulealea are treated alike, and both have the same rights of redress for injuries as Europeans. I ask the Natives to refrain further from co-operating with the Europeans in their agitation on certain matters which do not concern the Samoans. I wish all people here to clearly understand that I do not approve of a political "meeting which mixes Native politics with European politics, as its tendency must be to disturb the peace, order, and good government of the Natives. The letter was then read over in Samoan language by Laupue, of Native Department. Following the reading of the message there ensued a long silence, which indicated that this was an unexpected development, not anticipated. The three members on the platform held a discussion, which was followed by a speech by Mr. Nelson, which was in fact as follows : He regretted that the

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