Future Control Of

Samoa

Is a Change-Over Contemplated?

THERE is a strongly-held belief in Fiji and WesteTn Samoa that New Zealand proposes, at an early date, to aban don the Mandate she now holds for the Government of Western Samoa, and that the latter Territory will come under the control of the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, The latter already con trols Fiji, Solomons, Gilbert and Ellice and Tonga; and machinery for the ad ministration of Samoa could be simply and easily provided.

Points in favour of the change include: New Zealand has not a very happy le cord in Samoa, which is of little econo mic or strategical value to her.

The Samoan Administration ct present is an embarrassment to the New Zealand Government, which now is deeply en gaged with its own domestic problems.

If a British plan of Central Pacific de fence is to be developed, it can be hand led much more effectively by the British Colonial Office, controlling Western Samoa, than by New Zealand controlling Samoa, and the British authority controlling the adjoining territories.

Unlike the Cook Islands (also controlled by New Zealand) the trade of Western Samoa is largely in the hands of non- New Zealand firms.

There is a much stronger community of interest between Fiji and Samoa than between New Zealand and Samoa.

Since the present New Zealand Govern ment took charge of Western Samoa, it has tried conscientiously—though fumb lingly—to secure political peace and social

progress in the Territory; and Ministers have been bitterly disappointed with the petty reactions and apparently Insatiable demands of the nationalistic elements, whom they tried to assist.

It is apparent that, under the present regime, there will not be any economic progress or development in Western Samoa. But it is argued that, under a sympathetic British Colonial Office ad ministration, directed from Suva, enter prise and initiative by both the European and Samoan communities will be given more encouragement and assistance than at present.

It should be remembered, however, that Samoa would have been in a very bad way economically, two or three times in recent years, had it not been for the banana trade. New Zealand has bought regularly, huge quantities of Samoan bananas, and even has maintained a ship in which to carry them. Fiji could not do that.

Those who advocate a change should make sure, first of all, that the banana trade with N.Z. will not be disturbed, or that something will take its place.

Banana Trade Organisation

In a statement in January, Mr, Lang stone, who is the N.Z. Minister in charge of the Cook Islands, said the Govern ment had a responsibility to organise the banana trade for the benefit of the con sumer in New Zealand on the one hand, and for the producers in the Cook Islands and Samoa on the other. To see that justice was done to all, the Government had to co-ordinate the trade from Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Niue and the Cook Is lands so that there would be an ample supply of bananas for New Zealand. It had also controlled the price in New Zea land so as to give the producers a good price in the Islands.