Minister And Samoans In Lively Debate On

Administration Of Territory

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia Feb 18

OMMENCING February 7, the NZ Minister for Islands Ter ritories, Hon. T. Clifton Webb, :ered here upon a series of dis isions with the Legislative sembly, the Fono of Faipule and ding officials, concerning matters ecting administration of Wes n Samoa. He was attended by ■ High Commissioner (Mr. R. G. vies). ?he discussions were notable for y direct speaking on all sides, ne concessions were made by the lister, but some requests were ntly refused. The Minister in duced the talks by announcing: It was intended to establish an Ixecutive Council, to assist the ligh Commissioner.

He would discuss with them be dissatisfaction expressed about be work and functions of the ’ublic Service Commissioner in Vestem Samoa.

Improvements in the judicial ystem were contemplated.

In view of the rapid increase i population, measures were ecessary to increase food pro uction.

An economic survey of Western amoa was planned as a basis jr future development.

An extension of the Observa >ry at Mulinuu Point was pro osed.

In view of the report of the nited Nations Trusteeship ouncil mission, which visited Western Samoa, the NZ Govern icnt considered the country was ot yet ready for self-govern lent.

IE Samoan members strongly urged that the three Samoan members of the proposed cutive Council be elected by the loan members of the Assembly not by the High Commissioner, he Minister offered as a com mise that the Assembly members mit a panel of six names, and r e the HC to select three there n. The Samoans rejected this, nropean members of Assembly ilarly pressed for the right to t the one European member of Council. Mr. E. F. Paul, MLA, Lied that the elected European emblyman receiving the most ;s be the European selected. The lister rejected this: he would agree that popular votes polled cated eligibility for an Execu- Council. he Minister said the Executive incil would lay down policy, but slative powers would remain h the Assembly.

European and Samoan Assembly men criticised the power of the Public Service Commissioner to make important decisions without reference to the Samoan Govern ment. Mr. Gurau, MLA, told the Minister how the PSC had allotted houses for the medical staff, in troduced Saturday closing of Government offices, and fixed wages for Government workers without consulting local interests. This was interference with Government policy, which was resented.

The Minister would not agree

with this contention. Exchanges were sharp and warm. He said the PSC should be given time to “find his feet.” Samoa would be consulted by NZ if it was necessary

•ovided berths for two ships. The amend the Public Service Act.

The Assemblymen insisted that ie Assembly, or at least the new cecutive Council, should have me control over the PSC so that s decisions should be kept in irmony with declared policy.

IR. E. F. PAUL argued that the British MOF copra contract should be revised, in the ht of devaluation of Sterling ter the contract was made. Be use of this and other mis-appli tions of the contract. Western moa had lost £250,000 in 1950 and 51.

The Government Secretary, Mr.

B. Wright, said that the Samoan ipra Board had accepted the ices offered by the MOF in 1950 d 1951, and it was too late now advance new claims, rhe Minister advised growers to ess for a higher price for 1952. oon afterwards, the announced >2 price was raised from £59/15/moan per ton to £65). rhe Samoans pointed out that ilinu’u Point was the traditional it of the old Samoa governments, d the war and peace capital of ? whole country, and the burial ice of their kings; and they did t like the proposed encroach ;nt of the Observatory. \fter discussion, however, they reed to the cession of a limited ;a for the specific purpose med.

U the end of three days of talk, ; Minister thanked the Samoans d Europeans for their sugges ns, and commented on the high ndard of debate and the political imen shown by the country’s iitical representatives during * discussions.