Samoa's New

Status

Provided In New Legislation

By New Zealand

rE change in the status of Western Samoa, from a mandate to a trustee ship territory in accordance with the international trusteeship system of the United Nations, was recognised by the Samoa Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the New Zealand House of Representatives on Novelnber 18.

The purpose of the Bill is to imple ment the first of a series of progressive steps towards the eventual grant of full government to the people of Western Samoa, and to remove the existing legal disability in regard to defence measures The Bill provides for the appointment of a High Commissioner and a Deputy- High Commissioner in place of an Ad ministrator and Deputy-Administrator, respectively, as at present; it establishes a Council or State comprising the High Commissioner and the Fautua with ad visory functions; abolishes the present Legislative Council and substitutes a Legislative Assembly to make ordinances for the peace, order and good government of Western Samoa and to dispose of the revenues of the territory.