Government"

"A Step Towards Self- Government"

New Electoral Law in W. Samoa

From Our Own correspondent APIA, Sept. 1.

DESCRIBED by the Acting Admini strator (Mr. A. C. Turnbull) as “a landmark in the advancement of the Samoans towards the responsibilities of self-government”, the Faipule Election Ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council of Western Samoa in August.

The new law is a result of representa tions made by the Samoan people to the "Goodwill Mission” in 1936 and it was discussed by the Samoan delegation to New Zealand in January, 1938. The Or dinance provides for the election of the Faipule to the Fono of Faipule (native Parliament), and gives effect to the wishes of the Samoans that their representatives should be appointed by the people of the 41 districts which they represent, and not by the Administrator. The Bill also pio vides for a 3-yearly term of appointment of Samoan elective officials.

The present term of the Fono of Fai pule expires on September 30, and the new law will operate thereafter. The pro posed number of Faipule is 41, or one to every 1,365 of the total Samoan popula tion. The method of election is left to the people themselves. Only Matais (or family heads), however, will be entitled to vote.

The Hon. Tuala, Samoan member, ex pressed the wish that a request of four districts, for four additional Faipule. be reconsidered in the future.