Samoan Election.

Dearth of Candidates.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Apia, Sept. 5.

THOUGH an election of two new European-elected members to the Legislative Council was fixed some weeks ago, no candidates have come forward so far or announced their intention to stand.

The “Herald” has appealed to the public to nominate candidates and not to run the risk of losing their privilege of representation on the Council.

Among the planters, as well as among the commercial community there should be some suitable men who could represent the European interests in an able way.

It is true that there appears to be little interest amongst European re sidents in the coming election, caused by disappointment with the lack of in fluence the elected members can exer cise in the Council. They are out voted, in any case, by the official mem bers, whose number is sufficient to ratify any legislation the Adminis tration requires. However, as the “Herald” rightly points out, the elected members have the privilege of inter vening with the Administration on be half of their electors whenever neces sary. The late Hon. A. W. Johnston did a great lot of good work in this way, though quite unobstrusively.

Lately, several names have been mentioned as possible candidates. Mr.

S. H, Meredith, the second elected member, is expected to stand again, also Mr. A. Williams, a former mem ber, and Mr. T. H. Carruthers, who represents plantation and commercial interests. The most popular candidate, however, would be Mr. A. G. Smythe, the manager of Messrs. Morris, Hedstrom, Ltd., Apia, a resident of long standing and a favourite with all classes of the population. It is hoped, that Mr. Smythe can be persuaded to stand, and in this case his election by an overwhelming majority may be

predicted.

Another very popular candidate, a local-born resident, is also mentioned, and he may go on the one platform with Mr. Smythe.

The new electoral roll has caused surprise locally, as it contains only 103 names, as against 198 at the last election —striking evidence of the effects of the depression on our little country. Quite a number of those en titled to vote have been left out of the roll, and most of them will have this omission remedied.

As a result of the recent amalgama tion of the Customs and Treasury De partments, the Administration has lost one seat on the Council. There are now five official members, as against two European and two Samoan elected members.