A.—4b.

for that- was, as has been stated by the Government, that certain people had not signed the visitors' book within the twelve months previously. Among those people who were not invited were the three elected members. Mr. Nelson had a dance at his home, and to this dance were invited only those people who had not received invitations to the Administrator's residence. There was no intention that this should in any way be intended as a slight on the King's birthday or the celebrations in honour of it. No written invitations were issued to people to attend that dance, and all the invitations were given verbally. On the ninth day after the Minister's arrival here he granted an interview to the Citizens Committee, and present at that interview wero all the members of the committee and a number of Faipules, the two Fautuas, and certain officials who attended on the Minister. As soon as Mr.Nelson was about to speak the Minister informed him that he proposed to answer first the reports in a general way. The Minister then read a long speech, which could be boiled down to practically two charges — namely, disloyalty and intriguing—against the Citizens Committee. Mr. Nelson spoke after the Minister and the two elected members, and certain Natives, at the request of the Minister, each spoke. After they had all spoken the Minister again stated that he had nothing further to add, and that he was satisfied that there was disloyalty and sedition, and that he would give them a reasonable time to undo what they had done, and, if not, he would take such steps as he thought necessary. What the impression was which was intended to be conveyed I do not know, but the evidence will show that the impression that was conveyed tended largely towards increasing the suspicion and unrest. The Minister absolutely refused to hear what they had to say, and he had prejudged them. A large number of Natives crowded outside the Courthouse in order to be ready to hear what the position would be. They came of their own volition. As to the numbers here, the estimates vary considerably, but I will leave it to the various witnesses to give their own estimates. As 1 say, they were waiting here to ascertain what had been said by the Minister. Fortunately, the members of the committee realized that that was not the time to tell them the attitude which the Minister had adopted. They took care when the Minister came out that the Natives should stand for him. I believe " God Save the King " was sung, and then the committee got the Natives to go to Lepea, and there the members told them of the attitude, and reported to them the result of the meeting, and they were able to keep them quiet. Either on the day that the Minister left or the day after, Mr. Nelson, the chairman of the Citizens Committee, received two letters, which were signed by the Minister, one informing him that the law had been altered to provide for the deportation of permanent residents, if the Administrator was satisfied that such a course was necessary and after it was signed by the Governor-General in Council. The other letter stated that the members of the committee, mentioning their names separately, might find that further powers had been invoked against them if they did not undo the work they had done, and also if they did not cease having anything to do with the Natives at all. About the same time Faumuina and Lago Lago (otherwise known as Afamagasa) were called before the Fono of Faipules, and they were addressed by His Excellency the Administrator and told that they would be forgiven if they severed their connection with the committee and if they apologized and dispersed the Natives assembled around the village. They were not given an opportunity to reply—not even given a chance to make an explanation. They therefore addressed a respectful letter —copy of which is in Mr. Nelson's possession—to His Excellency ; but they were nevertheless banished to the small island of Apolima. This was at a time when there was considerable disturbance, and, fortunately, these two chiefs were able to advise the Natives that the proper thing to do was to obey the law, and that they wished to obey the law themselves. Despite the fact that these two chiefs had accepted their banishments and had kept the people quiet when they were annoyed about it, and despite the fact that the committee had ceased to have anything to do with the Natives —that is, the European members of the committee—and had done everything they possibly could to get the Natives to disperse, and had been successful in this endeavour, the Administrator continued to make general charges of sedition and disloyalty against them, and at the same time keeping prominently before them the power of deportation. Several times he was requested to state what specific matters he referred to, so that these gentlemen would have a chance of answering and explaining the matter ; but up to the present time no such particulars have come to hand. There is correspondence on this matter, but that correspondence is with Mr. Nelson, which he took with him to New Zealand for the purpose of instructing counsel there. It was then decided by the committee that as there was no hope of getting the grievances heard here, or through the channel open to them—namely, through the Minister of External Affairs—Mr. Nelson should proceed to New Zealand for the purpose of seeing if he could get the other members of the Cabinet interested, and also the interest of the general public of New Zealand. Mr. Smyth, who was a member of the committee, and who was about to make a holiday trip, diverted his trip to accompany and assist Mr. Nelson. Just as these two gentlemen were leaving they received letters from His Excellency the Administrator informing them that it might be necessary to deport them on their return. These letters are referred to at page 40 of the Joint Committee proceedings (see Exhibit No. 51a). This might have been intended to be merely a warning, but it was regarded by the gentlemen and the committee, as well as the committee's supporters, as an attempt to gag their mouths in New Zealand. I think I should mention that prior to Mr. Nelson going away—l could not say whether it was prior to the Minister's going or not —a petition from Samoans had been forwarded through counsel to Mr. H. G. K. Mason, a member of Parliament in New Zealand, to bring before the House of Representatives there. That petition came before the House, and it was referred to the Joint Committee. Then commenced the period of the greatest unrest in the whole history of this movement, and I think the evidence will show —that is, the evidence of the Natives and of the members of the committee —that this unrest was caused not by the committee, but by the tactless and foolish policy followed by the Government for the purpose of settling the country. Starting with the impression that arose when the Minister had refused to hear the Natives, carrying on through the banishment of Faumuina and Lago Lago, made worse by the letters sent to Mr. Nelson and to Mr. Smyth, the feeling was generally that of unrest,

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