Siang-Whanging In

Self-Government with Usual Trimmings

W. Samoa

IT was unfortunate that the j formal act of self-government Western Samoa namely,® swearing-in of the new Execii Council, at Tiafau (Mulinu’u)J traditional seat of Samoan admii tration, on Friday, September 14> should have taken place inf atmosphere of bitterness and ill-J -caused by a debate in the Legisla Assembly.

THE session began on Augusts and in September, just prior the inauguration of the 1 Executive Council of 12 mem!

Mr. A. M. Gurau, an elected rm ber of the Assembly, moved; “T this Assembly records its deep d cern at the manner in which affairs of the Territory are? present being conducted, and « siders that Government Po should be in full accordance 1 the wishes of the people.” (This later amended by the insertiot the words “implementation administration of” before ment Policy.”) Mr. Gurau said he was not atk ing Government policy; but he; insist that the Government \ failed to implement and carry 1 that policy, as adopted by people’s representatives in the> sembly.

He then gave a numben examples of how, in his opii policy and principles had been regarded. He ranged over a field, dealing with the incorpors of companies, introduction of o seas capital, control and adrm tration of public works, disposs plant, high-handed action by ' officials.

As this attack proceeded] aroused strong resentment am members supporting the Gow ment. There were frequent in jections. It was seen that Government Secretary (Mr. T

Smith), the Attorney-General,

W. E. Wilson) and the Finr Secretary (Mr. L. M. Cook) eager to challenge the moc allegations.

Government supporters early sisted that this was a no-confid] motion and that, if it were can it would have serious repercusi? throughout the public service,, at a time when a far-reao transfer to self-government manded peace and harmony.

Mr. Gurau denied it was a* confidence motion —he argued he had a perfect right to pub criticise what he claimed were g

in both judgment and nance. mess was shown on all sides, were many pointed inter s. motion was seconded by a tnoan member, Mr. Tufunga, d supported by Mr. G. F. D. i. The latter insisted that nformation should be made le. He said the public was int at any suggestion of ed taxation to be further ered on projects like the I Alaoa hydro-electric scheme famous Mafa Pass Road iction and the hospital re ;ors. Any increase in taxa- Duld be a strong condemna inefficient administration.

Betham alleged that there sen many incidents which ed that Administration had avely at fault; but that there sen a growing tendency on rt of officials to avoid in and fog the issues by “the technicalities, ridicule and »nable schoolmarm methods”.

P. L M. Morgan was Mr. > third European supporter, was scathing in his criticism administration —he declared they had had a party system, vote of no-confidence, the ment would have been out of office, :ase for the Government was ned vigorously by Mr. Wilson torney-General) who ex indignation at the timing of ack. He acknowledged that lad been made—mainly the »f under-staffing of depart but he thought that Samoan s, with any true perspective itions in Samoa, would above gs be grateful for what the nent and the public service le in building up the country point where it had achieved eminent.

Smith (Government Sec also was scathing in his ation of the methods by the critics had approached ject at this time. He caused by comparing the critics’ > with the organisation so ully employed by Com , in their attacks on es d institutions. was mounting steadily when ournment was taken, until

awing Monday.

nTG the adjournment, salt rubbed into the already rting sores by the local ier, Samoa Bulletin. cribed the motion and the ns surrounding it as “a smear campaign”; corn er. Gurau with Senator ly; and insisted that sm . . . ovor-looks ajects completed success id picks out the few in which > have occurred”. It said e voters of Samoa, in the

next election, would give the right answer to “the hysterical bleatings by the disciples of Gurauism" 8 It would appear that, when the Assembly assembled on September 17 feathers already were ruffled and teeth were bared; and there were more savage exchanges between Honourable Members.

Nothing much that was new was contributed. It was noted that speeches of moderation, deprecating all this heat and intolerance jiSt when a new administrative system was coming in, were made by most by Mr n H tlV W.Moo o rs n membe ”* at Mr th? Ul^cious roS and “ attacks- made upon him by the

local „ he harf SSf ' ,? le l claimed that rilhts fn wit “ n his toa^M^Hve^rSS?? 0 attentlon

ThTS!nn t V shortcomings.

to Th Messrs^B^tham 7 11 n votes Morgan Tvff.? rs ’ ■ Bet ham, Gurau,

Tufuga ’ teiig and

PiAmmo« De r r° r , l and Messrs.

L^alaiaulot o. Leiataua,

J-^ Ulele h

LamhiA ?k°?’ , Wllson and iSr n n5 s c tentl ° ns: Messrs, Gatoloa?’ M ’ Fonotl and There arc nniv t u

* WeS^

‘** too often ’ 6 6ach ° ther