Those Kings Birthday Celebrations.

General Richardson: Do you consider, Mr. Nelson, that the demonstration organised by the Committee in front of the Minister in June last was responsible for creating in the psychology of the Samoans and of the "Mau" the idea of making demonstrations in Apia whenever they felt inclined to do so, to show their resentment to Government authority and the Governor?—I would not like to say that.

Referring to demonstrations being made now, as far as I can ascertain, I can see no active steps taken by the Europeans on the Mau Committee to stop those demonstrations. 1 have taken steps to prevent any of what may be called the "loyal" section from making demonstrations, in order to avoid complications; and it has saved the situation on more than one occasion, but it has occurred to me that that demonstration organised by the Citizens1 Committee in June last has been to some extent responsible for the attitude of the natives and made them want to come and demonstrate in Apia. What is you answer to that?—Personally, I wish to deny that the demonstration to the Minister was organised by the White committee. The Natives wanted it themselves in order to prove the contrary of statements that had been made that the Mau only represented a paltry few.

General Richardson: We know how it was organised. I want to know whether you think that it really changed the psychology of the Samoans towards making demonstrations?—I might mention that with the exception of the two or three gatherings since I returned, and which I have definitely requested the committee to abstain from, and which I know the White committee had sent word about to the Samoans, that I had specially wired for no demonstrations or receptions to be made for me—apart from these, I have not witnessed any. If there have been demonstrations, they must have been whilst I was away; I have not seen any. I have heard that there were meetings, but I have not seen any myself, apart from the one on my return.