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No End Yet To West Samoa's

Mighty Battle Of Words

With about two weeks to go before they must submit the new Constitution to the General Assembly of the United Nationthe 174member Constitutional Convention of Western Samoa was, at the end of September, still battling on through a flood of words.

AT that stage, after it had been in session for six weeks, the Convention had dealt with only about half of the 122 Articles contained in the Draft Constitution, But even with time running out, again and again members were appealing to the Chairman to allow full debates on all clauses so as to allow older delegates to get clarification and understanding of some of the complicated principles involved.

Of dozens of motions for amendments to various provisions in the draft Constitution, not one of importance has survived a vote—yet each of the amendments has led to lengthy debates.

Love of speeches and oratory is a besetting sin as far as Samoans are concerned, and in such items as “freedom of religion” (which is of great local interest and was debated early in September) each member wants to contribute his two cents ° A motion to lift restrictions 1mposed at present or in future in the interests °f, atl °nal security, public order, health or morals or the protection of the righte and of others, including their rights and freedom to observe and practise their religion without the unsolicited interference of members of other religions, was defeated by a large majority of the Convention, At present missionaries from overseas are admitted to the Territory only at the rate of one to every 200 adherents of the denomination concerned.

The Prime Minister, Hon. Fiame Mata’afa, pointed out that the larger Missions, particularly the London

Missionary Society, had for years trained and employed Samoan missionaries to carry on their Church work and that these Samoan missionaries had even been sent to overseas countries like Papua-New Guinea to spread the Gospel there, Instead of bringing large numbers of missionaries from overseas to Samoa, he said, the missions should send them to countries like Papua- New Guinea and not try to proselytise Samoans who are professed and sincere onnstians.j .. , . , t Members Ask tor Time PiM’s Apia correspondent, writ ing on September 26, and noting that the Prime Minister of Western Samoa was due to leave the Terri tory in early October by air for New York, with the completed Con stitution in his brief case, said: „ A .. , k . nresent it will re q U j re a very determined effort and

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convention, to finish the session within the time limit, particularly m view of the continuous appeals to t he Chair, by members of the Con vention not to rush proceedings and £0 give opportunities for fuller dis

cus|ion clarification,

At time °t writing thef olio wing parts of the Constitution have been dealt with and approved without amendment: Part I—-The lode pendent State of Western Samoa and its Supreme Law; Part II Fundamental Rights; Part lll—The ** eac * ,9* State; and Part IV The Executive.

(Continued on page 147)

Here Comes

The Band!

The Latter Day Saint's Band, under band-leader Paepaega Nautu in Apia in September leads the parade of Boy Scouts to the annual Scout rally at the Malifa school grounds.

Photo: Samoana.

i debate on the Head of State nore time than the debates ter parts of the Constitution, nerous speakers took part in scussions concerning Samoan i and tradition.”

slative Assembly Sits, Too

September, members of the tutional Convention who are embers of the Legislative As were having a very strenu le as, simultaneously with the ition, the Legislative As was using the Fono House at i’u for evening sessions to with the Supplementary tes for the current year. TTie ition was sitting during morn ad afternoons so members of ;sembly were “sitting” in one or the other for 10 or 11 per day. ng the Legislative Assembly

sessions some strong criticism has been ieyelled at Government policy of allowing seconded officials to engage m private business transactions.

For the first tune m Parliamentary history in Western Samoa a .^ e Assembly, Mr.

Papahi Pesammo was temporarily suspended, when he made allegations of dishonesty against former seconded officials in the Government and refused to withdraw his remarks. . , x A In his financial statement to the Assembly, the Minister of Finance, Hon. E. F. Paul, pointed out that the financial outlook was net as

favourable as it had appeared to be at the beginning of 1960.

This was mainly due to a drop in banana production and exports caused by the storm in Januarv: by low market prices for copra" and cocoa; and corresponding decrease in export duties and by a loss in import duty, due to the lessened purchasing power of the producers, As in previous statements, the Minister again appealed for in creased agricultural production to maintain the present comparatively high living standards of the Samoan people and to cope with the steadily increasing population.