New Samoan

Councillors

Status in the Government

From a Special Correspondent

Apia, Dec. 11.

RATHER more importance than it de serves is being given to the result of the poll, held in Western Samoa on November 26, to elect two members of the Legislative Council. The Legisla tive Council is not a legislative body, but actually and legally is merely an advisory body. As a matter of fact, un der present conditions, a good deal of notice is taken of recommendations made by the Legislative Council; but neither the Administrator nor the New Zealand Government is in any way bound by the resolutions of the Council.

The election of Mr. O. F. Nelson, at the top of the poll, did not surprise anyone acquainted with the conditions here. He has a great many friends, re lations, and well-wishers among the European-Samoan population—who now have the same franchise as Europeans— and they worked very hard for the re turn of the man whom they regard as having sacrificed a good deal for a more representative form of Government in Samoa.

It is hard to say, at this stage, what effect the appearance of Mr. Nelson on the Legislative Council will have; but it is at least certain that his influence will be all in favour of a more aggressive insistence on the rights of the native Samoans to a larger share in the gov ernment of the country.

The election of Dr. G. M. Dawson has given satisfaction to all sections of the community. He is a very popular medi cal practitioner who has done a great deal of good work without reward, among the poorer classes of Europeans, Euro pean-Samoans and natives. Dr. Dawson has resided in the Polynesian islands for over 30 years. In the beginning of the Great War he came to Samoa first as chief medical officer for the New Zea land expeditionary force. After that, he went to Palestine as a member of the famous Anzac Mounted Division, and he was specially mentioned in the de spatches of the British Commander-in - Chief. After the war, Dr. Dawson went to Tonga and occupied for 14 years the position of chief medical officer in that Island kingdom. A few years ago, he moved from Tonga to Western Samoa, and he has been ever since engaged in private practice in Apia.

The defeat of Mr. A. G. Smyth by a small margin of votes caused general re gret. Mr. Smyth, over a long period of years, as a member of the Legisla tive Council and as a private individual, has worked very hard for the general benefit of Samoa, and especially for the European-Samoans and the native Sa moans. His experience, and his willing service, will be missed.

Lieutenant-Commander L. W. S.

Wright- formerly of the Royal Navy

was in Melbourne at the end of De cember awaiting the British Phosphate Commission’s vessel “Triona” which was to take him to Ocean Island, headquarters of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony, where he will join the staff of the Administration as secre tary for the Colonial Office. He was formerly in the Solomon Islands and his transference to the new post has followed a visit to England.