Left and right are the highest Samoan leaders, the Hon. Tamasese and the Hon. Malietoa, the two Fautua, Centre: His Excellency Mr G. R. Powles, C.M.G., High Commissioner. tua, the Hon. Tupua Tamasese and the Hon. Malietoa Tanumafili, are the heads of the traditional princely families of Tupa and Malietoa. A new Legislative Assembly was established, with full powers (including control of finance), in which the Samoan representatives had a majority. And a much older advisory body, the Fono of Faipule, was left in existence for the time being—both to give advice on the problems which were worrying the people of the villages and to choose the Samoan members of the Legislative Assembly. (The Faipule themselves were directly elected by the matai of the different districts.) As soon as the new political “set-up” (as it was commonly called) was working, steps were taken to give the people's representatives a closer knowledge of the work of government. Permanent committees of the Legislative Assembly were established to assist the heads of the larger departments in the planning of policy; and special committees were formed, from time to time, to study problems of particlular importance. By 1953 it was felt that the should meet in Samoa to work out a solution to those problems. After much preliminary work had been done, this Convention, which contained representatives of all sections of the people of Samoa, met at the end of 1954. Developments since that time have been based upon its decisions. In 1956 the elected members of the legislature who were on the Executive Council took responsibility for the administration of certain departments—a half-way step towards full cabinet government. In the present year, the existing Legislative Assembly and Fono of Faipule are both being replaced by a much larger Legislative Assembly, nearly all of whose members will be directly elected. The new legislature will contain from 41 to 45 Samoan members, five European members, and “not more than three” official members. The High Commissioner and the Fautua will no longer sit in the legislature. Instead, the members will elect a Speaker to control debates, s in New Zealand. Of course, to be successful the new self-governing Samoa must achieve much more than a satisfactory constitution. It must work out policies for economic development that will enable it to maintain a high standard of living for its people; it must have an adequate system of education; it must bring the traditional forms of village and district councils into conformity with the needs of modern life. But, at least, the co-operation of the New Zealand authorities and Samoan representatives over the past ten years had laid a firm political foundation for these developments. From now on the roads to success will be controlled by the Samoans themselves.

SAMOAN LEADERSHIP TODAY What sort of men, among the Samoans, have been leading (their country forward during recent years? The two Fautua, Hon. Tupua Tamasese and Hon. Malietoa Tanumafili, exemplify much that is characteristic of modern Samoan leadership. Their position is firmly based in the traditional social structure, but they have, as well, a broad knowledge of modern life. Both succeeded to their responsibilities as young men; both have travelled widely outside Samoa and kept in touch with events through reading, the radio, and their many friends in other countries. Tamasese, in particular, whose predominant interest is in public affairs, is always ready to discuss problems of local or world politics and brings to his side of the discussion a wealth of knowledge. Thus, though the position of the Fautua is primarily one of formal representation, their actual influence in practicle politics is very considerable and owes much to their experience and knowledge. Among the members of the