SAMOAN MANDATE

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1921, Page 1

SAMOAN MANDATE

draft of THE TERMS

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

WELLINGTON, Feb.. 1. By the draft of the Samoan mandate, copies ot which have been received by the Prime Minister, the principal Allied and Associated Powers: — Article I.—Confer on his Britannic Majesty a mandate for the administration of the former German colony of Samoa, the mandate to he exercised on his behalf by the Government of the Dominion of New Zealand. 2 llis Britannic Majesty accepts the mandate on behalf ot the New Zealand Government and undertakes to execute the same on behalf of the League of Nations in accordance with the following provisions:— _ 3. In ease of any dispute arising as

to whether any island is or is not included in the above mandate, the question shall he referred to the Council of the League of Nations, whose decision shall he final. I.—The mandatory shall have lull power of administration and legislation over the territory subject to the present mandate as an integral portion of C Dominion of New Zealand, and may apply the laws of the Dominion ol New Zealand to the territory, subject lo such local modifications as circumstances may require. The mandatory undertikes to promote to tlie utmost th ■

terial and moral well-being and social progress of the inhabitants of the territory subject to the present mandate. 5. The mandatory undertakes that tlie slave trade shall be prohibited and that no forced labour shall be permitted, except for essential public works and services, and then only for adequate remuneration. The mandatory further undertakes that traffic in arms and ammunition shall he controlled in accordance with principles analogous to those laid down in the Convention relating to tile control ol arms traffic signed by the parties to the present Declaration on .September 10, 1919, or any Convention amending the same. The supply of intoxicating spirits and beverages to natives shall be prohibited. 6. — -Military training of natives, otherwise than for the purpose of internal police and local defence oi the territory, shall be prohibited. Furthermore, no military or naval bases shall he established or fortifications erected in the territory.

7. Subject to the provisions of any local law for the maintenance of public order and public morale, the mandatory guarantees in the territory freedom of conscience and free exercise of all forms of worship, and undertakes to allow all missionaries, nationals of any State a member of the League of Nations, to enter into, travel or reside in the territory for purposes of prosecuting their n . * v* calling. S. The mandatory shall make to the

Council of the League of Nations an annual report, to the satisfaction of the

Council, containing full information with regard to the territory, and in dicating measures taken to carry out the obligations assumed under Articles 4,5, (i and 7, 9. The consent of the council oi the League of Nations is required for any modifications of the terms of the present mandate. If any dispute whatever should arise between members, of the League of Nations relating to interpretation or application of these provisions which cannot he settled by negotiation, this dispute shall be submit bd to the permanent Court of International d.ustiee provided for by Article 14 of the Covenant of the League of Nations The present Declaration shall he submilted to the Council of the Luagneot'