American Samoa's

Legislators Boggle

At Begging Ban

Members of American Samoa’s two Houses of the Legislature voted solidly in March against a law proposed by Governor H.

Rex Lee to outlaw begging in

the territory.

IN lively debates in both Houses, the legislators argued that the proposed legislation would outlaw many of the customs and traditions of American Samoa which could be interpreted in the Courts as begging However, although the bill was de feated, it is still possible that it will be passed, as the Speaker “returned the bill to the House floor”. This means that the bill still “lives” and can come up for further considera tion later in the session.

Speaking about the proposed law at the opening of the legislative session, Governor Lee said begging was a problem among both children and adults, and that “tourists and their actions” were mainly to blame for it.

“If there is anything that is contrary to Samoan nature, this is it,” he said.

Governor Lee said the Legislature should also consider the problem of tipping, which could become very burdensome, as in many other parts of the world.

He said American Samoans should be prepared for the changes that were taking place in the Islands.

Important Role

The opening of the educational television system would enhance education opportunities of the people, and would “form the base for whai we think will still be an outstanding school system”.

This system, plus the new hotel that it was hoped to open within a year, would “play an important role in the initiation of American Samoa into the world of tourism”.

Governor Lee said that a false start on tourism would “kill the opportunities . . . and we will forevei pass up opportunities for you people.”

All plans for the development of the territory were conceived with the ultimate purpose of opening doors of opportunity for the Samoan people and not outsiders.

Governor Lee’s assurance on out siders did not entirely convince the

legislators as both Houses later passed a strongly-worded resolution calling on him to place limitations on the number of aliens entering the terri tory, and to offer the Legislature “a comprehensive and effective immi gration law”.

The resolution also called on the Governor to require all aliens not en gaged in essential jobs to leave the territory, and to limit the stay of visiting aliens.

The number of registered aliens on Tutuila in mid-March was 4,800, and there were believed to be about 200 in Manua. American Samoa’s total population is estimated at 24,000.