 In March 1928, Malietoa supporters around Apia took offense to the anti-government rallies conducted by a particular Mau group from Savaii and had it not been for Tanumafili's intervention a tragic massacre probably would have taken place.The Malietoa factions did not oppose the Mau because they desired to be ruled by New Zealand.Like all Samoans they longed for independence too, but the "non-Mau Samoans" (Meleiseā 1987b