THE ADMINISTRATION OF SAMOA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 34, 4 November 1919, Page 8

THE ADMINISTRATION OF SAMOA

e_ AN ORDER-IN-COUNCIL DRAFT PROVISIONS The draft Order-in-Council relating to the administration of Samoa was laid before tho Houso of Representatives yesterday by the Minister of Dofence (Sir James Allen). A Bill could not be brought down this session since the coinpleto terms of the mandate had not been received, said the Minister. Ihe order dealt with the Executive Government of Samoa and the Snmoan Public Service. It was intended that the b'amoan Public Service should lie part ot the Now Zealand Public Service. Men would be sent from New Zealand for terms of three years, and would receivo tropical allowance. They would not remain in Samoa more than three years. It was proposed that tho Government of New Zealand should be empowered to make regulations. The Administrator with tho advice and consent of his Legislative Council, would have authority to make ordinances. The Samoan Council in the first place would be a nominated body. It might be made elective later, but that would not be snfo at the present time. Thero was-an alien element at Samoa just now. • Sir Joseph Ward interrupted the Minister to ask if the Houso would havo un opportunitv to discuss tho order. _ Sir James Allen said he was simply making a statement for the information of members. The statement would not be onen to debate. Sir" Joseph Ward objected to the proCC Sir e Ja'mes- Allen said the Government intended to maintain the laws and privileges of the natives as far as possible.. The garrison would lie withdrawn as soon as possible, and would be replaced by a civil police. This would include mount'ed mon, and probably would be recruited in Now Zealand. Tho natives were not to be allowod to sell their land except to the Government. The .mandate specifically demanded that the natives' should be prohibited from receiving any alcoholic, liquor. The neighbouring territory of American Samoa wan under absolute prohibition, for white men as wall as natives, and ho proposed to apply tho same system to the territory under New Zealand contra, tlio order contained nothing about indentured labour. He had promised that the amount of this ' labour would not exceed tho amount now in Samoa, tho Government would control this matter. In answer to Sir Joseph Ward the Minister said Samoan natives would bo qualified to sit in tho Legislative Council. Ordinances made by tho Council would- operate without authority from New' Zealand, but would be refoi.-red to the Government. The Samoan Constitution Order, whicli was circulated among members, of the House of Representatives yesterday, is n voluminous document dealing with administration, judicial procedure, criminal procedure, extradition, Crown and native" land, marriage, divorce, pub)l<> works, and other mo Iters. It is, m effect, a Constihition'Ac.t as far as Samoa is concerned. An Administrator and n Depntv-Ad-mii.'istrator are to be appointed. Thero are general provisions for the appointment of the Samoan Public Service. Officers appointed from New Zealand will ' be deemed to bo on leave without pa} from the New Zealand Public Service, A Treasurer and a Chief Medical OlhVt are among the oflif—i to be appointed. The Administrate!-, '.cjing by nnd with the advice of the Legislative Council, mnv make ordinances. The Legislative Council, created by appointment, will consist of four official members, being members of the Samoan Civil Servics and unofficial members, who must not outnumber the official mp-i.be.rs. No ; person shntl he r;iia!ified for appoinl- ' ment to tho Legislative Council unless he is either a natural-born British subject, or a. Samoan, or was bom in Samoa. A High Court of Western Samoa is established, headed by a Chief Judge. The civil and criminal jurisdiction of i tho Supreme Court of New Zealand will ' 'extend"to Ramon, nnd may be exercised ' in New Zealand in respect of tho terriThe property of t.h« German Goveni- ', .ment iii SamiVv is declared to vest in His Majesty the King.