No love in overbearing rule

Invincible Strangers 33 Chapter 14.2

On Sunday 13 June 1920, former German trans-Atlantic liner SS Main arrived at Āpia to take the Germans. Main had ‘mild influenza’ aboard, ‘two lying down cases and seven convalescent cases’. The medical officer came ashore and consulted the administrator. They checked with New Zealand. Cabinet in Wellington, meeting in an urgent session, ordered no passengers be allowed ashore and an option given to the Germans that would ensure they would not be forcibly deported. The passengers and friends ashore worked out a deal to put the sick on another ship for quarantine, the auxiliary schooner Ajax. The 170 Germans were put aboard. Custom officers searched the passengers. The deportees were loaded into a lighter to be taken out to the ship. People had to sit in the sun for two hours: ‘There were many young children and the ordeal for the mothers must have been a trying one. Some thoughtful spirit persuaded the manager of the Central Hotel to provide the deportees with iced lime juice, which was greatly appreciated.’ The last left for the ship around 4 p.m. ‘The launch in tow of the lighter had only proceeded about 20 yards when the whole body of Germans sang in lusty vein, “Deutschland über Alles” and continued their anthem until almost out of hearing.’

Main in Apia Harbour. Auckland Libraries

Those on shore watching were ‘sad in the extreme’ as many of the older white residents regretted their departure. Many were reported to expect the Germans to be back eventually.