MR. FRASER AND SAMOANS

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 December 1944, Page 2

MR. FRASER AND SAMOANS

SELF GOVT. PROPOSALS. APIA, December 27. The Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser.) returned from a visit to the Tokelau Group on Sunday. He attended midnight Mass at the Catholic Church on Christmas Eve. On Tuesday at 9 a.m. he resumed discussions with Faiyule until 12 o’clock. The Samoans then gave a taalolo feast to honour the party. At 4 p.m. the Prime Minister commenced to reply to remits submitted and discussed with the Fono at the previous sessions. He referred to New Zealand’s responsibility under the mandate for administration oi the territory of Western Samoa in the best interest and welfare of all people stressing the fact that New Zealand would continue to carry out the responsibilities. He also referred to the conclusions of the International Labour Conference in Philadelphia and the Australia-New Zealand agreement with particular reference to the Pacific peoples. He said the New Zealand Government, which was based on these international obligations, was to make it possible for the Samoans increasingly to assume responsibility of the administration of their own territory. An integral part of such policy was the opportunity for advanced education and the policy ol the New Zealand Government was to continue the improvement of educational facilities in the islands including provision of a scholarship in New Zealand and elsewhere for training Samoans in administration, medical and nursing services. Arrangements have already been made for twelve scholarships in New Zealand in the coming year and the number will probably be increased as time goes on. He referred to the rapid advances in education in the past seven years, and said he was anxious to see even further educational facilities given to the Samoans. The formation of a suitable body to adjudicate on wage and labour problems which would be representative of employers and workers would receive immediate and favourable consideration.