Samoa Under the Sailing Gods
IX
IX
As a consequence of the Minister's ultimatum, the Citizens' Committee severed, ostensibly at least, their connection with the Mau.
"Following [says Mr. Nelson] Mr. Nosworthy's visit came a reign of terror as the Administration frantically strove to suppress the movement by force and punishment…. In one month fifty chiefs of the Mau were dealt with. Banishments, deprivation of titles, imprisonment, and other degradations were the means adopted to smother the Mau. But still the movement spread, and every victim of the military dictatorship brought more and more recruits to the ranks of the oppressed. Rival clans who had long been at enmity with each other forgot the feuds and rivalries of generations, and became close-knit in a common cause against a military martinet who was trampling ruthlessly on all that the Samoans have held sacred for centuries past….
A Joint Committee of both Parliamentary Houses was appointed in New Zealand to consider, behind closed doors, the Samoans' petition, with Sir James Allen as chairman. Mr. Nelson was the only witness called, and occupied the stand for eleven days. About half-way through, on August 23rd, the Prime Minister suddenly announced that the Government had decided, on the recommendation of General Richardson, to appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into Samoan affairs. The Administrator had recommended the appointment of a Royal Commission—which he had hitherto opposed—in view of the "unwarranted untruths [sic] and sensational statements concerning Samoa."