Self-Government

W. Samoa Asked To Design Its

Interesting Plan Offered Unexpectedly

By New Zealand

From Our Own Correspondent

APIA, March 26.

ON March 18, 1953, the Prime Minister of New Zealand (Mr.

Holland) and the High Commissioner in Western Samoa (Mr, G. R. Powles) issued simultaneously in Wellington and Apia a 1,400 words “Statement of Policy”, describing far-reaching changes proposed in the political, social and economic structure of the New Zealand Trust Territory of Western Samoa, under which the Territory will become practically self-governing and nearly independent, presumably under the care of New Zealand.

The plan is to be considered by a Constitutional Convention, which will be called at the end of 1954.

Outstanding among the proposals is the establishment of a Cabinet, with a Prime Minister and Ministers in charge of Government Departments; the election of a House of Representatives by universal franchise and secret ballot, to which body the 11 traditional districts of Samoa are to elect one member for each 2,000 inhabitants.

The most generous and remarkable part of the plan is the gift to Samoa of the large and valuable New Zealand Reparation Estates (the organisation administering the former German plantations, taken over by NZ as reparations after World War I), the present * s . es tunated at about £lOOO,OOO. It is to be administered by a board of four local directors and one representative of New Zealand. This generous offer has been received with deep appre-

ciation and gratitude by the Samoan people, who realise that the huge , lanc * holdings of the concern WI J J vitally assist their future agri cultural development.

Among the semi-political and administrative measures proposed are the following- Establishment of district and vll i a g; boards. * stl £y of £ P lal > for a common citizenship, abolishing distinctions between Europeans and Samoans, * Scheme of staff training for Government servants. * Ini tial investigation of local government for Apia, * Integration of Samoan Affairs Department wi th District and Village administration, * , ~e , o rm judicial system and establishment of subordinate courts, • Establishment of a Central Registry of the Justice Department. • The Fono of Faipule (present Samoan parliament) to draw up rules for the election of members of the Legislative Assembly in 1954. • After the election in 1954, the High Commissioner to cease pre siding over the Legislative Assembly, • In 1954, the Executive Coun cillors to accept Under-Secretarial duties,

Proposals In Economic

Field

• An overall economic survey and an aerial and soil survey at an early date, . rvmHrmoti™ q Continuation of agricultural

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A group of four political leaders in Western Samoa, Left to right: The Hon.

Malietoa Tunamafili II, member of the Council of State; the late Hon. Tofa

Tomasi, MLA, whose untimely death was reported in March PIM; the Hon. Te’o Leutele, MLA; the Hon. A. M. Gurau, MLA.

:3velopment and consideration of ie Gerlach report on Samoan agri ulture. • Establishment of a banana oard. • Commencement of operation r : co-operative societies. • General survey of Samoan Gov mment lands. • Tariff and Taxation revision. • Currency and Banking reform. • Revision of price control system. • Consideration of land tenure ’stem, agreeable to Samoans and ►nsonant with Samoan needs.

In Social And General

Field

• Analysis of 1951 population nsus to provide basis for further easures. • Study of education, with hi nt to introduce compulsory educa m, by NZ Director of Education. • Development of vocational lining in Fiji and Samoa. • Development of adult educa >n by libraries, movies, etc. • Continued development of ialth programme. • Implementation of Greenberg port on broadcasting. • Cpnsideration of report of liquor mmission of enquiry. • A local Defence scheme. • General labour and workers’ tnpensation legislation. • Continuation of Samoan langu e project. • Enactment of Prisons ordin ce and regulations.

• Consolidation and amendment of Land & Title regulations. © Consolidation of Samoan laws and ordinances.

“Complete Surprise”

THE statement of Policy as an nounced came as a complete surprise to the leaders and people of Western Samoa.

It is, of course, no coincidence that the announcement has been made six weeks before the expected arrival of a UN Trusteeship Coun cil Mission in Apia, to investigate conditions in the Trust Territory.

Most of the important changes now proposed by New Zealand have been long desired by the Samoan people, and they constitute a big

step forward in the development of the. country.

Other measures proposed are of a more controversial nature and will require careful consideration.

The concessions now made by New Zealand are significant evid ence of the confidence of New Zealand in the ability of the Samoan people to take over control of the Government of their own country.

It has been pointed out that, with the ever-increasing population of Western Samoa, political and social development must go hand-in-hand with an increase in agricultural pro duction of foodstuffs, as well as nrimary produce for export—other wise the Samoans’ standard of liv ing will be threatened.