8e Discussed

Samoa’s New Deal to 8e Discussed At End of 1954

FT was obvious from discussions at L the recent session of the Legis lative Council of Western amoa that members and Samoan *aders are still undecided about le Development Plan proposals of iew Zealand. (This Plan, an ounced in March, 1953, more or tss asked Samoa to design its own ;lf -government but proposed far ;aching political changes and re rganisation of the present system [ government).

Samoan leaders are still not pre ired to commit themselves on the reposals. Particularly have they ressed that before the social and jlitical proposals of the plan can ; implemented, the Territory’s :onomy must be developed and ex mded in order to provide a sound :onomic basis for social and poli sal measures. This they believe all the more essential in view of le rapidly growing population of imoa which is expected to double self in the next 20 years.

It was also pointed out that, tough undoubtedly the country is a financially sound and pros irous position at present, this vourable position depends entirely i the continuance of the present gh prices for Samoa’s main pro lets, copra and cocoabeans, and tat a price drop in the world mar tts for these products may have sastrous effects on Samoa’s onomy and seriously interfere ith the planned political and cial development proposals.

Members of the Council appear, >wever, to be unanimous about one ?m —that of universal franchise lich NZ suggested should replace esent traditional methods of vernment. All are against it on e grounds that it would conflict th the matai (chief) system lereby only the chiefs and family : ads, freely elected by their milies, have the right to represent

their people. Samoan leaders claim that the matai system is democratic in principle and fully represents the whole population.

The whole development plan is at present under discussion by a special working committee ap pointed by the High Commissioner and composed of members of the Assembly, the Fono of Faipule and heads of Government Departments.

This Committee is to make specific recommendations to the Legislative Assembly at the next session in March, 1953.

A Constitutional Convention will be called at the end of 1954 to con sider the political aspects of the De velopment Plan.