THE SAMOAN MANDATE.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLII, Issue 1729, 3 February 1921, Page 5

THE SAMOAN MANDATE.

PREMIER RECEIVES DRAFT. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 1. By the draft of the Samoan mandate, copies of which have been received by the Premier, the principal Allied and associated Powers: — Article 1: Confer on His Britannic Majesty a mandate to administer the former German colony of Samoa, the mandate to bo exercised on his behalf by the Government of the Dominion of New Zealand. His Britannic Majesty accepts. Article 2: The mandate on behalf of the New Zealand Government, and undertakes to execute the same on behalf of the League of Nations in accordance with the following provisions:—

Article 3: In case ;of any dispute arising as to whether any island is or is not included in the above mandate, the question shall be referred to tho Council of. the League of Nations, whose decision shall be final. 4. The mandatory shall have full power of administration and legislation over the territory, subject to the present mandate as an integral portion of the Dominion of New Zealand, and may apply the laws of the Dominion of New Zealand, to the territory, subject to such local modifications as circumstances may require. The mandatory undertakes to promote to the utmost the material and moral well-being and social progress of the inhabitants of the territory subject to the present mandate.

5. The mandatory undertakes that slave trade shall be prohibited and that no forced labour shall be permitted, except for essential public work and services, and then only for adequate remuneration. The mandatory further undertakes that traffic in arms and ammunition shall be controlled in accordance with the principles analagous to those laid down in the convention relating to the control of arms traffic signed by the parties to the present declaration on September 10, 1919, or any convention amending the same. The supply of intoxicating spirits and beverages to the natives shall be prohibited. 6. Military training of natives, otherwise than for purposes of internal police and local defence of the territory shall be prohibited. Furthermore, no military or naval bases shall be established or fortifications erected in the territory. 7. Subject to the provisions of any local law for the maintenance of public order and public morale, the mandatory guarantees in the territory freedom of conscience and free exercise of all forms of worship, and undertakes to allow all missionaries, nations of any State which,is a member of the League of Nations, to enter into, travel, and reside in the territory for the purpose of prosecuting their calling. 8. The mandatory shall make to the Council of the League of Nations an annual report to the satisfaction of the Council, containing full information with regard to the territory and indicating the measures taken to carry out the obligations assumed under Articles 4,5, 6 and 7.

9. The consent of the Council of the League of Nations is required for any modification of the terms of the present mandate. If any dispute whatever should arise between members of the League of Nations relating to the interpretation or application of these provisions which canont be settled by negotiation, this dispute shall be submitted to the Permanent Court of International Justice provided for by Article 14 of the Covenant of the League. of Nations. The present declaration shall be submitted to the Council of the League of Nations for confirmation, and the present copy shall be deposited in the archives of the League of Nations. Certified copies shall be forwarded by the secretary of the General League of Nations to all the Powers who are signatories of the Itreaty. Peace will be iinade with Germany on satisfying tho Treaty of Versailles. The United States will have full power to adhere to the present declaration. <