(a) General

25. In deciding upon its recommendations, the Commission has had two objects in view. Firstly, it has been concerned with preserving and making full use of all parts of the traditional structure of district and village government which can still satisfy present needs. Secondly, it has been concerned to lay down lines of policy which will continue to meet the changing needs of the future. In other words, although our recommendations have been devised to meet the requirements of the present situation, they have been drawn up in full consciousness of both the past and the future.

26. Considering first the need to base policy upon Samoan tradition, it is the firm conviction of all members of the Commission that healthy political development in Samoa is possible only through acceptance of the ideas and ideals and the forms of organization which the Samoan people accept as right and just. True self-government, in which all responsible people are able to take their proper part, and in which they can maintain an intelligent interest, must be government in accordance with generally accepted ideas. In Samoa, as elsewhere, such ideas are the product of centuries of political experience. In other words, Samoan self-government must be government founded upon Samoan political tradition.

27. At the heart of that tradition is the authority of the individual matai over his family and of the ali‘i and faipule over the affairs of villages and districts. These traditional forms of authority exist equally in all parts of Samoa, but, owing to the way in which Samoan communities have grown up—each in high degree independent of others—there are page 13 many difference in the forms by which they find expression. Our recommendations have therefore been framed to give due recognition to the position of the matai and the authority of the ali‘i and faipule and, further, to allow for a form of such recognition which is in accordance with the particular practice of each district and village.

28. It has not, however, been sufficient merely to take proper account of tradition. We have had also to keep in mind the changes which have occurred in Samoa over the past one hundred and twenty years and which are still continuing. Apart from the momentous influence of Christianity, the past century has witnessed the growth of a larger overseas trade, the spread of education and medical services, and the revolutionizing of internal communications. These developments have led to a large increase in the responsibilities of the ali‘i and faipule. The latter now build school and hospital buildings, control water-supplies, deal with disputes between their people and trading firms, and seek to control European-introduced troubles such as gambling and drunkenness. Our recommendations have therefore been framed so as to take full account of the new tasks with which our political institutions have now to deal.