Samoans’ Claims

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 39, 16 February 1938, Page 6

Samoans’ Claims

INCREASES IN SALARIES OF FAIPULES Per Press Association WELLINGTON, Feb. 15. The requests made to the New Zea* iand*Government by members of the Samoan delegation which visited the Dominion iast mo th were officially disclosed for the first time by the Minister of Land, the Hon. F. Langitone, in an interview. The representations were heard by Mr. Langstone, who was the leader oi the goodwill mission, that went to Samoa in 1936. The delegation sought the repeal of a number of ordinances and regulations issued by previous administrations, as well as an increase in the remuneration of various native officials in the mandated territory of Western Samoa.

The Minister pointed out that th* ordinances to which exception was taken were now non-operative and that the regulations governed by them had been repealed. He also indicated that if increases in pay were granted they would have to apply to the Samoan service as a whole and not be confined to particular officials. The delegation, said Mr. Langstone, asked that the words “former German colony” in the preamble of th Samoa Act be deleted from that statute on the ground that Samoa was neve- a German colony but only a pro tectorate under the Berlin treaty.

‘ ‘ The Samoans arc the most overrepresented people in the world,” said Mr. Langstone, in discussing the requests of the delegation for increases in the salaries of various officials.

“There are only about 54,000 fullblooded Samoans, and 39 Faipules, who sit in the Fono. They have no legislative authority, but deal with Samoan affairs and make recommendations to the Administrator and the Samoan Legislative Council on matters affecting the Samoan people. They were receiving £23 a year. This was increased in 1922 to £3O, and in 1928 to £4O. The amount was reduced to £ls in 1934, and last year, I agreed to increase it to £36. The delegation requested that the* amount should be increased to £6O a year. “The territory is in a fairly prosperous condition,” said Mr. Langstone. “The assets are worth well over £500,000, and the indebtedness is only about £121,000 in round figures. There are some very good reserves running into, possibly, £60,000. I promised the delegation that I would obtain a report and review the whole situation. ’ ’