A.—4b.

The Chairman : By letter, I presume ? Mr. Slipper: Yes, with reference to this decision which had been given at great length by His Honour the Chief Judge. Mr. Baxter was associated with me throughout this case, and after the decision we came to the conclusion that we were not competent to advise as to an appeal, owing to the fact, for one reason, that the law library here is of a limited nature. We therefore suggested to our committee that counsel's opinion should be taken, and that is why my letter went to New Zealand. I forwarded all particulars, and a copy of the judgment of the Chief Judge. It was on the 11th August that I received a radio with respect to this matter. On that same date I wrote to Judge McCarthy as Crown Solicitor, advising him of the contents of the radio. On a later date I received a letter from counsel. [Radio and letters put in and marked Exhibit No. 13.] Shortly after this I and Judge McCarthy applied to the Chief Judge in Chambers to have costs fixed. This was done, and I went on with the appeal. As to His Excellency's proposed malaga in Savai'i, I have never set foot in Savai'i, and I know nothing about the island. I have been here only five months, and I cannot speak or understand the Samoan language. I may say that I have never counselled the Natives, or any Natives, to disregard orders given by the Government, but I have persistently advised them to the point of insistence that they must obey the law and must keep the peace. This seems to be an attempt to embroil me in the suggestion that the Europeans arc stirring up the Natives. I would be glad-to know who reported that I have been advising the Natives in this disreputable manner. Mr. Meredith: Before proceedings start, sir, I think there is a matter that I should bring under the notice of the Commission, and that is a reference in the Samoa Guardian, which I have just had handed to me—a reference under the heading of " Attempted Interference by the Administration with the Royal Commission," and under this heading there is inferred a direct allegation of an attempt by the Administration to interfere with the Commission. Further, there is a report of the discussion which took place in Chambers. The general effect is that this is an allegation, which is going to be broadcast among the people of Samoa, including the Natives, of impropriety concerning the Administration's acts. The Chairman : You might look at this : it affects you too, Mr. Baxter. Mr. Baxter : I am not counsel for the Guardian. The Chairman : No ; just look at it, that is all. Mr. Baxter: It is quite evident that this article concerns Mr. Slipper and myself to a great extent. We certainly knew nothing about it. We certainly think the article is wrong, and do not know where these remarks came from. The remarks which have been put into the mouths of Mr. Slipper and myself are totally untrue. The Chairman : What remarks ? Mr. Baxter : The remarks concerning the hand of General Richardson being in the arrangements — " It was thought that if General Richardson attempted to interfere a strong protest should be made." We have never made any reference to General Richardson. And there is a reference there which says the " suspicion is not confined to the Administration and Commissioners, but extends to their own counsel." Mr. Slipper and I wish to take time to think about this. We are not prepared to appear if there is no confidence in us. The Chairman : I think the article is a very improper one, but I do not propose to take any notice of it further than to make a very short statement. As a Commissioner and a Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, I have the power to protect the proceedings of this Court wherever necessary. The suggestion that there has been any interference, or attempted interference, on the part of the Administration with the proceedings of this tribunal is destitute of any foundation in fact. With regard to the question of the itinerary, that is free from any suggestion of interference, or attempted interference, by the Administration. The whole matter had been disclosed to counsel and discussed with counsel, and I have nothing further to say and do not desire to make any further observations on it. With regard to the proceedings being in Chambers, the writer of the article is singularly destitute of any knowledge of normal legal proceedings. Proceedings in Chambers are taken for convenience' sake and to expedite the course of justice. In the present case it was thought that the details of the itinerary, which would involve a journey by sea —and we had no information as to the cost or the probable duration of the proceedings—could be much more conveniently dealt with in Chambers rather than in the public Court. It was for that reason and that reason only that the proceedings were taken in Chambers. I myself think it is ludicrous that the mere circumstance that this matter was discussed in Chambers should excite suspicion, and I do not propose to make any further observations. With regard to Mr. Baxter and Mr. Slipper, we do not understand that the statement is any personal reflection on them. We understand it rather as an untoward suspicion that might arise in the minds of the Natives, and I may say that the Commission would sincerely regret the absence of counsel from these proceedings, because this would very unduly increase our labours, and would, I think, detract from the efficiency of this investigation. Mr. Slipper: I propose to go into the question of the cancellation of trading licenses, and I ask leave, sir, to mention a matter not mentioned before in my opening address. You may remember, your Honour, that in my remarks I observed that there was a difficulty in our minds as to whether the cancellation of the licenses of these three men was valid. I wish to go further in respect to the Ordinance and point out the full meaning as it stands. Ordinance No. 2 of 1924 — the Taxation, Licensing, and Revenue Amendment Ordinance. I wish to repeat section 2 and to emphasize the word " any " : "In any case where the Administrator is satisfied that the granting to any person of any new license or the holding by any person of any existing license under the principal Ordinance or under the Road Traffic Ordinance, 1921, may prejudically affect the peace, order, or good government of the Territory, he may order that no such license shall be granted to that person, or that such

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