Un Mission Has

A Look

At West Samoa

From Our Own Correspondent APIA, July 20.

THE 11-days visit of the Trusteeship Council Mission to Western Samoa is drawing to an end. The Mis sion (consisting of Sir Alan Burns (Chairman) representing United King dom, Governor Tallec (France). Mr.

Chang (China), and Mr. Carpio (Philip pines Republic), and a staff of six has had a full programme of consultation with Government bodies and officials, visits to outlying districts of Upolu and Savaii and to various plantations, hos pitals and’ schools, and talks with a large and representative gathering of Europeans and Samoans at a reception at Government House, Vailima.

Meetings with Samoan authorities in the outside districts were generally of an informal and social character, though often local requirements and wishes were submitted to the Mission for the consideration of the Trusteeship Coun cil.

Samoan leaders, expressing the views of the Hon. Fautua, the Samoan mem bers of the Legislative Assembly and the Fono of Faipule, submitted the follow ing six points to the Mission for the consideration of the Trusteeship Coun cil:— I.—Officials of the Government Ser vice (Clerical Division).—That the hope and ultimate aim of giving higher duties to Samoans now employed in the Gov ernment Service, as recommended in the Report of the United Nations Mission in 1947, be further carried out. 2.—Matter concerning the Land and Titles Court.—lt is requested that the membership of the Land and Titles Court be made up of the following of ficials: Chief Judge, Secretary of Samoan Affairs, Resident Commissioner of Savai’i. three Samoan Judges and nine Samoan Assessors, as already submitted to the Minister of Island Territories, so that only the above officials should take part in the functions of the Land and Titles Court. 3. —Samoan Amendment Act, 1949 (No. 47).—1t is requested that this law be amended by adding the words “Council of State” to the clauses where it appears to be necessary. 4.—Police Department.—As this Depart ment is not affected by the law con cerning the Public Service, it should also be under the care of the Council of State and not exclusively to the High Commissioner and the Minister in New Zealand. s.—Samoan Currency.—lt is requested that members of the Mission furnish some information, which would be of help towards the adoption of an inde pendent Samoan Pound. . 6.—Fono of Faipule.—Because of the importance attached to the Fono of Fai pule in its relationship with the people of Samoa as a whole, it is requested that any decisions made by it in any matters touching on the welfare of all sections of the community be made ef fective by law.