CONTROL OF SAMOA.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1921, Page 5

CONTROL OF SAMOA.

BILL DISCUSSED IN HOUSE. PREMIER TO VISIT ISLANDS. By Telegraph-Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House went into committee on the Samoa Bill to-night. Mr. H. E. Holland (Leader of the Labor Party) objected that the Bill was bgd, as it*tore up the Treaty of Berlin of 1889 and robbed the natives of their old rights. He condemned several other features of the Bill, and pleaded for the fullest* possible measure of self-government for Samoans. Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition), referring to the exemption of the Samoa public service from the control of the New Zealand Public Service Commissioner, asked why this was so, and said if sections of the public service were to be left outside the Commissioner’s control they might as well get rid of the Commissioner save the expense of his maintenance. Discussing the question of representation,- the Minister said he did not think the time was ripe for the representation of Samoans on the Legislative Council. There was, however, a system in existence in Samoa by which the chiefs met and discussed native matters and then conveyed their decisions to the Administrator, who, if he thought fit, acted on them. That system, which Was a valuable one, would continue after this Bill was passed, so that it could not be said the Samoans were entirely unrepresented. Following upon some further remarks by Mr. T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South) on the representation of Samoans iu the New Zealand Parliament, the Premier intimated that he hoped to yjgit the is-, lands when that phase of the question would be considered. At clause 47 Mr. Sidey moved an amendment which would have me eifect of making it possible for the Legislative Council to consist of elective members.. Mr. Massey said that in view of his intended visit to Samoa in March or April, he would ask numbers to let this • matter stand over, because he then hoped to be able to discover what the wishes of the Samoan people Were. He was most anxious to do the best tor the Samoan people, but he thought it safest to let this principle stand over for the present. Mr. Holland suggested that all the difficulty would be got over if the Premier would give an assurance that after having visited Samoa and ascertained the views of the native people he would give the. House an opportunity to review this question of representation. Mr. Massey said he would give that assurance with pleasure, and the clause was then passed unamended. At clause 63 Mr. Holland suggested that some provision should be made in part 3 of the Bill for trial by jury, but the Minister said this was not wise at present. The administration of justice, especially on the criminal side, was perfectly satisfactory, and no one desired to have it changed. Clause 300, prohibiting marriage between Chinamen and native women, was struck out. At clause 301 Mr Wilford complained, of the ease with which divorce might be obtained. Foui new ; -olinds of divorce were introduced, and in most cases the periods oi time were reduced. After discussion it was agreed to postpone part 11 dealing with divorce, in order that the whole matter might "be reconsidered, the •Premier intimating that the whole divorce law of the Dominion would have to be reviewed, the House, in his opinion, having last year gone too far. The remainder of the clauses and schediiles were then passed.