Samoan Legislature

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 262, 4 November 1938, Page 12

Samoan Legislature

PENDING COUNCIL ELECTION APIA, Oct. 20. An election of two members to represent tho European section of the community in the Legislative Council will take place on November 26. Nomination day is fixed for November 12. So far no candidates have announced themselves, but an effort is being made to induce Hons. A. G. Smyth and 1. H. Carruthers to stand in the interests of the local-born section. Tho local Labour Party may put up candidates also. It is understood that Air. O. F. Nelson docs not intend to contest the election. The amendment of the Legislative Council Eelcctoral Act, whereby an adult qualification for male and female Europeans of over 12 months residence in tho Territory was granted, came as a surprise to many, and is viewed with mixed feelings. Some favour it, while others are against it. Previously only persons with a business or paying a salary tax were eligible to vote, and at the last election the voters’ roll contained about 130 names. In an interview tho former Administrator, Sir Herbert Hart, agreed that at least tho residents who had paid the poll tax of 25s per annum should be eligible, and promised that he would recommend that it be so. Subsequently, the poll tax was abolished and tho New Zealand Government has evolved the latest amendment. This will mean that the new roll will contain about 1500 names, as there were 1000 EuropeanSamoans of all ages entered at the census taken two y r ears ago.