Samoan Election

Prospects.

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Oct 2.

Preparations have begun for the coming election of two European elected members of the Legislative Council on November 9. So far, 16 additional names have been entered on the electoral roll, bringing the total up to 119.

Two candidates will represent the Planters’ Association, Messrs. I. H.

Carruthers and G. Miedicke, who both hold Crown leases. It is somewhat hard to understand, why the planters, though they are certainly entitled to representation, have put up and two candidates, whom they cannot possibly hope to get in, completely ignoring the right to representation of the commer cial interests. It is believed that Mr.

A. G. Smythe will stand as an inde pendent candidate and will be sup ported by the commercial community.

As Mr. Smythe is very popular, his election may be considered certain. An other independent candidate will be an nounced shortly.

Mr. S. H. Meredith has also declared his intention to contest the election, his chance of retaining his seat is very slight. With an eye on the coming election, he became active at the last Legislative Council meeting and brought several important matters to the notice of the Administration.

The electoral register closes on Oc tober 19. After that date, the fight will begin, and promises to be interest ing in view of the number of candi dates and the conflicting interests in the field. (An earlier reference to the Samoan election appears on page 32 of this issue.)