WESTERN SAMOA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19136, 2 April 1924, Page 6

WESTERN SAMOA.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETS. GOVERN OR-GENER AL’ S MESSAGE. ' t PRESERVING LAND FOR SAMOANS. “NO QUESTION OF TWO PARTIES.” {Feom Oub Owv Coeeesponijenj.) WELLINGTON. April 1. The official record of the first meeting of the newly-constituted Legislative Council of Western Samoa, which arrived by the mail, contains an interesting message from the Governor-General, as well- as an indication in the Administrator’s address that the Crown estates are to be retained for the use of the natives of Samoa. ’Hie Legislative Council of the mandated territory of Western Samoa met pursuant to notification. The Hons. G. E. L. Westbrook and A. Williams took the oath of allegiance. The Administrator, Majorgeneral Richardson, read the following translation of a radio telegram from his Excellency the Governor-General of New Zealand: — . ’ . . , “On the interesting and historical occasion of the first meeting of tlm recentlyconstituted Legislative Council oi Western Samoa I desire to convey to you and to the

members of the Council my warmest congratulations. It must inevitably be a matter of satisfaction and pride to the people of Western Samoa that so notevrorthy a step forward towards representative government as the institution of , a Legislative Council, which is partly elective and partly nominative, should have been made in a period of a little over three years. It is in the confident belief that the Administration will be supported and strengthened under the changed conditions that X express, on behalf of the Government of New Zealand, the satisfaction with which the new departure is viewed, and our hearts’ good wishes for the future. — Julucoe.” ’ The Administrator’s address referred to the present Council as marking an important stage in the political development and his-

tory of Samoa. It was also an expression of confidence by the Government of New Zealand on the lability .of the citizens of Samoa to play their port and assist the Government in its desire to promote the welfare of Samoa and its people. There would never be a question of two parties in the Council. The first business of the Council would be the consideration of the Estimates and the revision of the existing Samoan Legislative Council (elective membership) Order, 1923. 'the experience of the recent election showed that revision was necessary to remove disabilities not previously foreseen. A Select Committee would report on the matter. "I have decided,"’ said the Administrator, “to concentrate my efforts on what I consider to be the three most urgent problems —namely: “1. The need for the improvement of the health of the natives and the provision of better sanitation and water supplies in the villages. “2. The reorganisation of the administration of those valuable assets, the property of New Zealand—namely, the Crown iHstates, so as to ensure that a revenue is obtained therefrom and applied to the benefit of Samoa as intended by the New Zealand Government. “3. A reduction in the cost of administration.”

The New Zealand Government had generously provided (apart from a subsidy for education) the sum of £14,000 to be expended on medical treatment of the natives. The latter, in addition, contributing by direct taxation another £iooo, making a total of £21,000. Ibis left only £7OOO to bo charged against the revenue of the territory for medical services. Provision for a new water supply for the native villages had been made by the allocation of the balance of £6OOO from the loan account entirely to this urgent need. The council would assist the Government in its policy of uplifting the native race. The Government hucf decided to lease the Crown Estates, a step- that would have a beneficial and far-reaching effect on the economic progress of Samoa. They would retain these areas as the birthright of the Samoan race in the hope that tne natives might more rapidly increase in numbers in the years to come, and that ultimately theiie estates, if required, might be made available for then}. A large number of applications had been' made from various countries to lease the various plantations. Discussing the need for reducing expenditure, the Administrator said that if the citizens of Apia availed themselves of the recent legislation authorising a municipality, a further reduction in expenditure would bo possible. Every effort was bein'* made to induce the natives to utilise more fully their lands and the products of their plantations. It was hoped that the local planters would materially benefit by the recent ordinance regulating the grading and exportation of Samoan the high reputation of which should be enhanced thereby. The council would be given an oirportunity of considering whether suitable legislation could also be made to improve the quality of copra, which, although of superior quality in comparison with similar exports from certain other Pacific islands, was capable of improvement to a higher market value. Copra, 80 to 90 per cent, of which was made by the natives, might, however, be a more difficult matter to legislate for than cocoa, nearly all of which Jwas produced by European planters. The New Zealand Government had under consideration the provision of a larger vessel to replace the Lady Roberts, in order that certain islands of the Cook group, as well as the Union group, might bo satisfactorily administered from Samoa.

The Administrator expressed his appreciation of the Fiji Government in acceding to his request to remove the restrictions which formerly prevented Samoa from successfully exporting fruit to New Zealand via Fiji. Planters and natives would have an opportunity of exporting fruit to the dominion once every two months, the direct route lacing sufficiently short to enable fruit, with careful handling, to be landed in vood condition.

There was an ample supply of labour in Samoa at the present time, and no difficulty was likely to be experienced in obtaining further supplies of labour when required from China. A fairly heavy expenditure would, be incurred during tlie coming year tor the repatriation of labourers whose term had expired, and for importing labourers to replace them. During tho past year the Faipules representing the native race had held two Fonos, at which important matters concerning the welfare of the natives were discussed. “Samoa is in the happy position of not having to increase its revenue by taxation,” said the Administrator in conclusion. “The financial outlook is bright, and I anticipate no difficulty in living within our income and providing for all normal requirements. With the present increase in the market values of our products, the estimated increase in crops in both cocoa and copra, the keener interest displayed by the natives to increase production, and the transfer of the Crown estates to private enterprise, the coming year promises to be a very good one for Samoa.” A select committee was appointed of the three elected members to consider tho Samoan Legislative Council (elective membership) Order. Tho Address-in-Reply was carried, and tho Estimates agreed to. The Taxation, Licensing, and Revenue Amendment Bill, 1924, was passed through all stages without debate. It provides for the licensing of storekeepers after April L The Council adjourned sine die.