Samoan Policy

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 586, 12 February 1929, Page 13

Samoan Policy

REORGANISATION OF STAFF POLICE TO BE REDUCED Press Association WELLINGTON, Monday. The Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward stated to-day that after consideration by Cabinet of various matters relating to Western Samoa, including- the report of the committee of officials who .recently inquired into finances and the staff of the administration, it had been decided to institute reorganisation of staff and simplification of finance, leading, it was hoped, to considerable reduction in expenditure. Details would be finalised after ronsultation with the Administrator and a further statement would be made. The proposal, however, involved considerable changes in the present staff, and it was contemplated that in future the staff would be recruited from and assimilated in the New Zealand Public Service. . .. It had been decided to transfer the existing Samoan military force to a civil basis with a reduction in strength from 74 to 45. It was also intended to reduce the force still further as time and events justify. The native regulations are also amended to enable the Administrator to appoint district officers to whom rnay be transferred powers, inter alia, of the Native District Council, where the existing council is not functioning satisJudge, Mr. Woodward, and the secretary to the Administration, Mr. Hutehen, Treasurer Wild, and other Senior officials, desire transfer to New Zealand after long and honourable connection with the territory, and inquiries are being made whether they can be appointed to vacancies in the New Zealand service.