NZ Prime Minister

in W. Samoa Samoan and European Grievances Discussed

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia Jan 9

rE increasingly important’ part the islands of the South Pacific are playing in world affairs is reflected in the fact that, within the past year, Western Samoa—with an airport of some importance on the crossroads of the Pacific—has been .visited twice by the Governor-General of New Zealand, and has now been paid an official visit by the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr.

Peter Fraser. The Prime Minister and his party remained a week, in order to obtain a personal knowledge of the prob lems of the Territory and find a solution for them, if possible.

His ‘visit extended also to the Tokelau Islands, the Cook Islands, and Niue, the other New Zealand dependencies.

The party consisted of the Prime Minister, Mr. A. G. Osborne, MP (Par liamentary Under-Secretary to the Prime Minister), Mr. Rbss Frazer (Acting Dir ector of the Internal Marketing Division), Mr. G. R. Taking (Department of Exter nal Affairs), Miss K. G. Jordan (private secretary), and Mr. S. J. Wemyss (cameraman). They completed a strenu ous round of inspections, conferences and interviews, with only a few social func tions interrupting the “strictly business” character of the visit.

Most important, from the Samoan point of view, were the talks with native, European and Euronesian leaders, who submitted their grievances.

The Samoan Fono of Faipule asked for a greater share of self-government and responsibility for Samoans—similar to the Tongan and Fijian native systems; bet ter prices for their products, particularly bananas, copra and cocoa-beans; better roads and communications; better wages for local officials: increased employment of Samoans by the Administration, and better facilities for education.

European representatives discussed with the Prime Minister the' disposal of Crown lands for plantations to Europeans; the lifting of prohibition; better wages for local-born officials: and the improvement of roads and services generally.

MR. FRASER openly expressed sym pathy with the demands submitted to him. He said, however, that on some of the more important and far reaching questions he was unable to give a decision before consulting the New Zealand Cabinet.

In a speech before the Samoan repre sentatives and leaders, at a meeting held at Mulinu’u on Boxing Day, Mr. Fraser expressed his sincere thanks for the cor dial reception given him and his party He said that he would do his best to satisfy the legitimate grievances of the people of Samoa on his return to NZ.