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The Samoan Massacre: December 28th, 1929

A Samoan National Protest voiced at Vaimoso, on March the 5th, 1930, by High Chief Tuimalealiifano

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A Samoan National Protest voiced at Vaimoso, on March the 5th, 1930, by High Chief Tuimalealiifano

Tuimalealiifano: I am very old—eighty—four years of age My heart is full of love for my people, as I have experience of what has happened since New Zealand has been working for the Samoans. You said New Zealand is very kind, but I tell you to stand in your position with righteousness. You said that the Government of New Zealand is very kind: I have seen myself and I have experience of it. It is not. Many Samoans, many thousands of Samoans have been buried in the earth. Therefore, listen to me clearly. You should have righteousness and truthfulness. Act as Christ taught us. Be truthful. Why are you telling lies ? The Gospel of Truth has been with us for many years—a hundred years—you taught us and we got it from you. What was the cause of this ? Because of you. Every past Administrator has cut off our heads. Do you understand that? You mention there are people who committed offences, and how about you ? There are also people who have committed offences amongst you. We now see that you are only trying to get something good for you out of us. What about us? We were only starving, dispersed in the bush the sea, and land, everywhere. We have already said that our objects— what the Mau wanted—are in those various petitions, but you say so and so, and so and so, and it is confusing. You said to end the Mau and abandon the Mau, but how about its cargo ? The Mau is like a ship with the Cargo in it. When the ship reaches the land then the cargo will be discharged. Now you said to end the Mau, but how about the objects of the Mau ? You have beaten the Mau and disturded the Mau and treated the Mau improperly, and now you ask to end it. How about the Mau belongings? I thought you were going to deal with this matter easily and slow, and deal with us carefully, and how about killing the Mau like animals? That is very bad. We know the custom in enlightened countries—when a mans hands are lifted up there is no firing. You, the Government why do you publish in the Newspapers saying the Mau would not bring the wanted men down. We came down that day with our procession without knowing that you had made those exceptional arrangements. Why did not you say to Tuimalealiifano or Tamasese or Faumuina, "Bring and give up the wanted men!" Why did you not demand of us to give up the prisoners?

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What I want now is to let the Mau live until it gets what it wants. When they get that they will drop the Mau away. Give us time to disperse and return home and think over the matters that you have put to us. And with regard to the Mau uniforms—they do not hurt the Government, there are no bullets in them. Let us wear our uniform until we get what we are aiming for. Now, what have you given to the Mau? You only urged the Mau to give up, and you have nothing to give to satisfy us. The Mau will not say "Yes", until you have put a Crown on the Mau.

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