Dominion Objection To Text of Resolution For Samoan Self-government

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26638, 8 December 1947, Page 5

Dominion Objection To Text of Resolution For Samoan Self-government

New Zealand Press Association—Reuter—Copyrignt. Rec. 9 p.m. LAKE SUCCESS, Dec. 5. Sir Carl Berendsen (New Zealand)', in the Trusteeship Council to-day, took strong exception to the draft resolution on self-government for Western Samoa, saying that in the form it was presented by the special sub-committee it implied a slur on the New Zealand Government. His views were finally accepted and the “ slur ” was removed. The resolution presented by the sub-committee stated: “Having examined the report and recommendations of the United Nations mission to Western Samoa, and taking into account the objectives of the trusteeship system, the expressed wishes of the Western Samoan people and the declared policy of the administering authority as stated in a memorandum submitted by the New Zealand delegation on December 1, the Trusteeship Council resolves that at the present time the people of Western Samoa should be accorded such measure of self-government as indicated in the mission’s report; and that the people of Western Samoa should be encouraged and assisted to assume increasing responsibilities in self-government and ultimately should be accorded full selfgovernment as soon as they are ready to assume the responsibilities involved.”

Sir Carl said that the text was completely unacceptable because it implied a slur on his Government by the removal of a reference in the previous text to “ taking note with satisfaction ” of the steps already taken by New Zealand toward granting Western Samoa self-government. “ New Zealand deserves commendation, not condemnation, implicit or explicit,” he said.

Awni Khalidy (Iraq) considered that it would be improper for the Council to express any opinion on the steps taken by New Zealand. steps had not even been discussed by the Council.

Mr W. D. Forsyth (Australia) and Dr Liu Chein (China) then submitted a joint amendment inserting in the statement that the Council “ noted with satisfaction the declared policy of the administering authority.” The amendment was approved by 10 votes to none, with Iraq abstaining. The Council then passed the whole resolution unanimously correcting the date of the presentation of the New Zealand memorandum from December 1 to November 21. The New Zealand Department of External Affairs representative, Mr George Laking, then answered a number of questions regarding specific points of the mission’s report. He said the Government could not presently take over the entire primary educacation system and had to rely greatly on mission schools. The Government, however, was sending more teachers to Samoa. The discussion of the report will be continued on Monday.