May Be “Stateless”
p. 43 · Read in the full issue
Some W. Samoan Residents
THE national status of the people of Western Samoa is to be altered. The majority are now classified as British protected persons, but, as a result of re organisation of nationality laws through out the British Commonwealth, they will now come within a new category as New Zealand protected persons. This change complies with the wishes of Samoan rep resentatives.
Describing the present position as com plex and under constant examination by the administering authority, the annual report of the Island Territories Depart ment (of NZ), says the national status of Europeans in Samoa is dependent upon the nationality of a direct male ancestor from whom, in the majority of cases, they derive their European status. As a result there are considerable groups of
Europeans of British, American, German and Chinese nationality and others in smaller numbers who are nationals of many other States. Many, who have not retained their full rights of nationality, may have become Stateless persons.
The report adds that national status is not, in general, a basis for the restric tion of personal rights. In a period of emergency, however, those who are de clared to be enemy aliens suffer various disabilities.
New Zealand Herald.