British Preference In Western Samoa

Various Angles on a Confused Situation

AS indicated in February issue, there is some division of opinion and clash in procedure in Western Samoa about the British Preferential Tariff.

It was reported in the PIM that the Tariff actually had been abolished. This was based on an apparently clear statement before the .Trusteeship Council of the United Nations in New York several months ago by the New Zealand Ambassador, Mr. Munro, to the effect that, in accordance with the expressed wish of the Legislative Assembly of Western Samoa, the NZ Government had agreed to the abolition of the Tariff, which would take effect from March, 1954.

Mr. Munro evidently misunder stood the procedure. The Tariff is expected to come before the Samoa Legislative Assembly this month (March), when it appears likely that a final decision will be reached.

Ma n y communications have reached the PIM on this subject— some maintaining that the position will not be altered hurriedly; some that it will be altered immediately the Assembly meets and votes; and others insisting that the Preferential Tariff should remain.

THE following official statement of the events which led to the pre sent position comes from the Acting Secretary of the Govern ment of Western Samoa, and is dated February 12: “Almost all the non-British mem bers of the Trusteeship Council of the United Nations maintain that a Preferential Tariff, such as is in operation in Western Samoa, is con trary to the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, and must therefore be abolished in Western Samoa—a Trust Territory. , “A contrary interpretation of the Charter is maintained by the British members, including New Zealand; but, in the face of con stant requests, particularly from the United States, the NZ Government some years ago decided that the issue would basically be one for Western Samoa to determine for herself. , As an initial step towards reaching a decision, the Legislative Assembly of Western Samoa set up a Select Committee. The latter took evidence from local interests, and others, and finally made a report in which it recommended the re moval of the British preference.

“The NZ Government, as the Ad ministering Authority, of Western Samoa, then consulted with the

countries which might have been directly affected by any such change. As a result, it was decided that the way was clear for the abolition of preference, should Samoa wish to go on with the pro posal. Official statements were made, not only by the NZ Govern ment, but also by the Governments of other Commonwealth Countries.

“After receipt of the news that the way was clear to take what action is desired, the Samoan Gov ernment commenced an active and careful inquiry into every aspect of the question.

“A Departmental Committee will shortly present a report, which will be given suitable publicity among commercial and other interests; and in due course, no doubt, a decision will eventually be made upon what Samoa should do.

“It is quite incorrect to say that the Preferential Tariff is scheduled to come to an end in March.

Whether it comes to an end at all has yet to be decided; and this will be done through normal consti tutional processes in W. Samoa.”

Unjustified Delay Claimed

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Feb. 20.

THE advisability or otherwise of a Tariff revision was fully in vestigated by a Select Committee of the Samoan Assembly in 1948. This

Committee, after hearing evidence from all sections of the community recommended that the Preferential Tariff be abolished and the Customs Tariff revised. The NZ Govern ment apparently took no steps to implement the recommendations (which were fully approved sub sequently by the Assembly).

The Trusteeship Council Mission which visited Western Samoa in 1953 showed keen interest in the matter; and then the NZ Govern ment, after 5 years’ delay, declared its agreement with the recommen dations.

It is claimed here that it would be unconstitutional for the Executive Government of the Territory to un reasonably delay the implementation of a resolution of the Legislative Assembly, which has been assented to already by the NZ Government and the Trusteeship Council.

A section of traders here argue that abolition will benefit the Terri tory; that it will not affect to any considerable degree the existing trade relations with New Zealand and Australia, from which countries Western Samoa imports practically all her food supplies; and that it will not cause an increase in im portations from USA —at least while dollar restrictions exist.