A—4

The following legislative measures have been enacted during the year ended 31st March, 1948 1 In New Zealand — The Samoa Immigration Amendment Order 1947 (Serial number 1947/62). The International Air Licensing Emergency Regulations 1947 (Serial number 1947/67). The Samoa Customs Order 1939, Amendment No. 4 (Serial number 1947/123). The Samoa Legislative Council (Elective Membership) Amendment Order 1947 (Serial number 1947/154). The Samoa Dangerous Drugs Amendment Order 1947 (Serial number 1947/165), The Samoa Applied Regulations Order 1947 (Serial number 1947/188.). The Samoa Amendment Act, 1947. , The International Air Services Licensing Act, 1947. The Emergency Regulations Revocation Order, No. 7 (Serial number 1947/185), The Superannuation Act, 1947. The Emergency Regulations Continuance Act, 1947. The Western Samoa Fautua Appointment Regulations 1948 (Serial number 1948/25). The Western Samoa Legislative Assembly Regulations 1948 (Serial number 1948/26). The Samoa Amendment Act Commencement Order 1948 (Serial number 1948/27). The Samoa Publications Revocation Order 1948 (Serial number 1948/35). In Samoa — The Tauese Road Closing Ordinance 1948, No. 1. The Ordinances Amendment Ordinance 1948, No. 2. The form of the Legislative Assembly, which is really the lineal successor of an earlier advisory body of German times, has undergone various modifications, but its basic pattern, prior to the coming into force of the Samoa Amendment Act, 1947, had always provided for a majority of official members. The Legislative Council, its immediate predecessor, comprised the Administrator (who presided), six official members, two unofficial members elected by the adult European community, and four Samoan members nominated by the Fono of Faipule. With the coming into force on 10th March, 1948, of the Amendment Act, 1947, the Legislative Council was replaced by the Legislative Assembly, with a majority of Samoan members. It now comprises the High Commissioner, the two Fautua (th,e third Fautua, the Hon. Mata'afa, having died in March, 1948), eleven Samoan members nominated by the Fono of Faipule, five European elected members, and six official members. The death of the third Fautua, the Hon. Mata'afa, on 27th March, 1948, is deeply regretted by the people of the territory. His influence with the Samoans will be sadly missed. The Samoan leaders have since proposed that no appointment of a successor be made, but that the number of Fautua remain at two. The Assembly meets at such times as the High Commissioner may appoint. Two meetings of the previously existing Council were held during the year under review, one of four days' duration in June, 1947, and the other of two days in January, 1948. For the European community, representation is based on a roll of registered voters of any nationality but holding European status who have been resident in Western Samoa for at least one year and are twenty-one years of age or over. In matters relating to the Samoan people the High Commissioner is advised by the Fautua, who are the highest Samoan title-holders representing the outstanding " Royal " family lines of Samoan society, and currently holding the historically well-known titles, Tamasese, Malietoa, and Mata'afa. Though these leaders had no statutory powers or

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