A. 4b.

The subject of the reports of the committee was then raised by Mr. Chisholm. He suggested that, as they were not complete, perhaps the chairman would read out those parts that were complete. Apparently, Mr. Chisholm's request was misunderstood, as the chairman had the reports read as they stood, and. in order of— History of Legislative Council from Constitution Order, 1920, to present time. Comparison, Samoa —Fiji. Read by 0. F. Nelson. Report on Medical Department. Read by A. Williams. This covered all branches of Medical and Public Health Department. Efficiency and expenditure. Also covered report" of Native committee. Revenue and expenditure. Read by Mr. Gurr. The report consisted mainly of a comparison between Native taxation per population, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga. He assured the meeting that the figures he was quoting were correct in detail. Read over in Samoan language. Either the meaning of Mr. Chisholm's request was misunderstood or ignored, as no mention was made as to which part of the report was incomplete. By this time the majority of the Europeans had left the hall, about fifty half-castes remaining. At the conclusion Mr. Gurr commented on the able manner that Mr. Nelson had composed his speech in reply to His Excellency's letter. He called for three cheers for Mr. Nelson. This terminated the meeting. The conduct of the meeting was orderly. There being no discussions from the audience, there was consequently no arguments. It was obvious that the material of the political discussion was an unknown quality with 75 per cent, of the audience. All suggestions came from the platform. 1. Commenting upon distinctive features of the meeting, it was noticed that what may be considered to be the 0. F. Nelson factor of the audience were placed on both ends of the hall. On one flank was Lago Lago, with his Samoan committee support; on the other flank was Lealofi, Tamaseu P.N., Messrs. Burnett, Kruse, Kohlasse, Atoa P., &c. As 0. F. Nelson tapped the table with his hand, the walking-stick of Lago Lago rapped on the floor at one end, and Atoa at the other, and so the applause was developed. 2. It was noted that among the audience was the majority of 0. F. Nelson and Co.'s employees. A big proportion of boatmen, wharf workers, taxi-drivers, persons against whom banishment orders have been made, convicted criminals who have served terms of imprisonment were present. 3. No Samoan parties from west of Leulumoega were there; none from Malie or Faleula ; no parties from east of Falefa ; none from Aleipata (with the exception of Tuisila ; none from south side of island; none from Savai'i or Manono. The Samoan audience may be considered to have been not representative. 4. Only one European missionary was present—viz., president Latter-day Saints (Mormon), and he arrived late. 5. No executive official of the trading firm of Burns, Philp, and Co., Ltd., was present. I attach hereto verbatim notes in the main, taken by Mr. E. T. Allen, Customs Department, as shorthand practice, marked " C." A. L. Braisby, Inspector Police and Prisons. Public Meeting of Citizens held in the Apia Market Hall, 12th November, 1926. (Chairman, Hon. 0. F. Nelson, M.L.C.) The Chairman: In the last public meeting we Mr. McCarthy: Mr. Chairman, might I interrupt for one moment. I crave the attention of the meeting for a few minutes. I have been directed by His Excellency the Administrator to address you for a few moments and hand in a letter for the chairman from His Excellency, and I wish to address a few words to the public servants to save complications. [Letter handed by Mr. McCarthy to chairman.] The Chairman : The meeting has been interrupted by Mr. McCarthy, acting in accordance with instructions from His Excellency the Administrator. This is the letter addressed to the chairman: — Dear Sib, — I have asked Mr. McCarthy, the Acting-Secretary, to attend this meeting and read to it a letter. This letter will also be read by a Samoan interpreter. You will please have this letter read before the meeting takes place. Yours, &c., Administrator. I do not think there should be any objection to this letter being read, so will ask Mr. McCarthy to proceed. Mr. McCarthy : Before reading this letter I wish to point out to all public servants that they are not allowed to take any active part in this meeting. [Letter from His Excellency read.] The Chairman : A message has been received from His Excellency the Administrator, and I, as chairman of this meeting, feel it necessary that we have to consider this message. In countries where they have a certain amount of self-government such a message would have come through the people's elected representative. Our status does not permit of this, and it comes through a Government official. We have heard the message from His Excellency exhorting Europeans to refrain from mixing in politics that concern Samoans. The same exhortation is also given to Samoans to keep away from politics that appertain to Europeans. The question for this meeting to decide is whether the interests of the Samoans and the Europeans can be separated, or are they identical.

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