Breaking Mr. Nelson in the Great Depression (1931–1932)

After the Black Saturday massacre and the limited repercussions for the New Zealand government as a result, the government stepped up its assault on Ta’isi who was outside the reach of new draconian laws in Sāmoa that criminalized almost every aspect of life and cultural practice. Rather than pursue Ta’isi, they pursued his firm that was put on trial for aiding and abetting a seditious organization. The chapter investigates the course of events around this trial and the impact it had on Ta’isi and his company that was already suffering enormously due to the Great Depression. It also explores attempts to prevent Ta’isi’s return to Sāmoa, the threat of a repetition of the Black Saturday massacre if he did return and the drastic impact this situation had on his family.