Mau treating Ta’isi as a king

Invincible Strangers 60 Chapter 27.2

Few in New Zealand political life were interested in Sāmoa. New Zealand had just 1.5 million people; on 3 February 1931, an earthquake in Napier killed 256 of them, New Zealand’s worst disaster until the 1979 Air New Zealand crash in Antarctica. New Zealand was not in a fit state to run a Pacific country of 55,000 people. Ta’isi saw the depression as offering hope to Sāmoa, writing to Alaisala Tamasese that New Zealand had many poor people and a ‘very poor and weak’ government. If the Mau stayed strong, their demands might be granted. 

Some things did not change. Hart hosted a party at Vailima for the visiting American Sāmoan Governor Gateward Lincoln. Sāmoans were not invited. Hart feared them: ‘Every village … is like a shouldering fire, requiring very little to stir it into a substantial blaze.’ Reflecting that world of fantasy that came to colour New Zealand’s administration, Hart believed there was a Sāmoan plan to blow up the new Āpia water main. He was anxious about the scheduled return to Sāmoa of Ta’isi and Edmund Gurr at the end of 1932. Forbes warned Ta’isi’s activities in New Zealand were ‘amply sufficient’ to warrant an extension to his exile. Government lawyers said that was not possible. Hart felt it would be a serious mistake to let Ta’isi back. The police force would need strengthening; ‘In addition I would suggest that the single men of the Administration and any other suitable volunteers be invited to join the “Āpia Defence Rifle Club” (President, Inspector Braisby) or enrol as special constables.’ Forbes told newspapers things had never been better in Sāmoa. Nelson and Gurr were ‘as free as the air and they can return when they wish.’ Away from the press, Forbes said Ta’isi had to be monitored closely. If he was heard to say anything seditious, he should be arrested as soon as he was away from crowds. He warned Ta’isi that the government ‘will not hesitate to take what steps may be necessary to maintain the existing quiet and orderly position in the territory.’

Ta’isi and daughters at the Fale Fono at Mulinu’u. Photographed by Alfred James Tattersall. National Library