Assess Value

Sharp Division Between

Chiefly Families:

Observer Tries to Assess Value Of Samoan Convention

By Hugh Frewen

Apia,. Jan. 8.

IHAVE been visiting Samoa as an independent observer at the recent Constitutional Convention; and I have formed the opinion, for what that may be worth, that this movement is not really inspired by a desire for in dependence, except insofar as the Samoans would like to possess and control their own public service, for which they are not yet fully trained or competent.

The movement may be regarded as a cloak for placing almost absolute power in the hands of the two Fautua, Malietoa and Tamasese.

Neither of these men, in my opinion, is equipped by character or qualified by training to exercise this power—one loses some prestige by his way of life, and the other is regarded as being too closely allied with a powerful religious or ganisation.

As most people are aware, there are two traditional Royal Families in Samoa —one represented by Malietoa; and the other—the House

of Topou—by three Royal aspirants (Tamasese, Mataafa and Tuimale aliifano) —the three being divided between the dominant Protestants and the Ca f holics. Mataafa and Tuimalealiifano are entirely opposed to the recommendation of the Con vention that Maleitoa and Tamasese should be joint Heads of State.

The two proposals which have re mained the subject of acrimonious dispute—and on which, in my opinion, the whole of the recommen dations of the Convention are likely to founder —are (I) suffrage and (2) the Headship of the State.

It is difficult to see how a demo cratic Government like that of New Zealand —let alone the United Nations Oranisation, which holds the ultimate authority over Western Samoa—will approve of a political set-up which will involve the sub jugation of 80,000 people, deprived of electoral and civil rights, to a chiefly caste, the Matai, numbering less than 4,000. Only the Matai will be entitled to vote or sit in the Parliament. The appointment of a Duumvirate —Malietoa and Tamasese —as Heads of State, for life, will put an end to all effective opposi tion to this system, except by violence —which, unfortunately, is the only time-honoured method known in these Islands.

However, the educational value of this Convention has far outweighed its recommendations; for it has gone far towards promoting a political sense in the minds of the common people, together with an evaluation of their lack of political