FONO OF FAIPULES.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 16095, 19 September 1924, Page 5

FONO OF FAIPULES.

SAMOAN LEGISLATURE. PART IN OWN GOVERNMENT. A PROMISING EXPERIMENT. One of the most interesting, If not romantic, chapters of history in the South Seas is the establishment by New Zealand of the Fono of Faipules, or Legislature for the niatlves of Samoa, as described In the report tabled In the House of Representatives yesterday. . v v By Telegraph—Special to Times. WELLINGTON, Thursday. General Richardson expresses sympathy with the natives in the period of uncertainty with regard to their control which they have experienced in the last 35 years. "Events, comprising their history," he says, "have ; not been conducive to promoting unity among the natives in support of their government. The confusion that reigned prior to the three powers assuming control in**lßß9, the unsettled conditions prevailing during the latter regime (the change of Government in 1899 and again in 1914, followed by four years and a-half of uncertainty as to which flag this territory would be under after the war), also the change from military to civil administration under a mandate granted by the League of Nations in 1920, have all had a disturbing influence on the minds of the natives, making them feel that the Government was without any fixed policy on native interests, and that changes might occur any day without their having any voice in their own affairs. "Native leaders have told me that these past events in their history created a suspicion in their minds that their country was being exploited, and that the natives, the real owners of the soil, were not receiving the consideration, to which they were entitled. Without absolute confidence in their Government the natives will not readily respond to instructions given by its officials in their own interests. They prefer their native customs and thereby retard their own development.

experience in dealing with the natives has shown that they desire permanency in the existing Government and appreciate its sympathetic treatment of their problems. They are responding'to the gospel of self-help which is being quietly instilled into them by all the officials of the Government. The policy, of giving primary consideration to their interests in all matters of administration is being strictly carried out. "The Government of New Zealand cordially acquiesced in the growing desire of the natives of Western Samoa to take a share in the administration of their own affairs, ahd enacted legislation last session under which the Fono, or Council, of Faipules was legally constituted to deal with native matters. "The Fono has given satisfaction," said General Richardson in his report. ■ "Besides giving satisfaction to the natives it has inspired the Faipules with confidence that under the present constitution no legislation affecting the welfare of the Samoah race will be introduced without first obtaining the wishes of their people and the advice of their representatives, the Faipules. In the past the Samoans look very little interest in the Faipulc Fono, but' now, through its newlyacquired legal standing and the publication iof its proceedings in the native press, they are beginning to realise its value as a national institution wh'ere the opinions of the people can be made known and where their interests will be safeguarded." That the Fono is an active institution in the opinion of the Administrator is shown by the list he gives of the functions it administered during, the three session* s held last year. These were: Compulsory treatment of natives for certain diseases, village sanitation, increased production of copra, education matters, including compulsory education of children, road-making, provision of ■ Samoan labour in substitution for Chinese, change in land policy advocating a definite area of land to each taxpayer, establishment of district councils to carry out the administration of certain local matters rearrangement of districts of Faipule representation, investments of money by natives to be controlled, establishment of a museum for Samoa, and native regulations.

"The forthcoming visit to New Zealand of the Faipules will be greatly appreciated," said General Richardson, "and should result not only in cementing the good feeling that now exists between the natives and the Government, but should also, be of great educational value."