W. Samoa’s Healthy Financial

Position

Apia. Oct. 21.

THE second session of the Western Samoan Legislative Assembly was held between June 29 and July 12.

The proceedings have just been pub lished and deal mainly with the estimates for the current year.

The session was marked by lengthy debates, particularly in regard to the ex penditure on roads and Public works which was criticised by some Samoan and

European members as excessive, and in some instances wasteful. The High Com missioner and his officials stressed the great difficulty in getting the necessary road-making equipment and building materials. This had delayed and made costly the completion of the reading scheme in both Samoan islands.

It is clear from the debates and the subsequent report that Western Samoa is in a favourable financial position. Custom duties alone, during 1947-48 brought in £2BB,7o6—double that of 1946-47. In spite of increased wages and material costs the total accumulated cash surplus of the Territory is £607,155. As the Territory’s Treasurer pointed out. the New Assembly

takes over at a most favourable time in Western Samoa’s history.

The new estimates provide for a balanced budget of £452,755.

It was decided during the session to create separate departmental committees to control the work and expenditure of the various Government departments and make recommendations to the Assembly.

They are each composed of one European, three Samoan members of the Assembly and the Head of Department; the three Pautua are ex-officio members of all committees. Committees are Finance, to advise on all financial matters: Public Works; Hospital; and the Education Com mittee.

With the exception of some minor cuts in proposed Public Works and Education Department expenditure, the Estimates were passed by the Legislative Assembly.