6‘ . in this Council on the 25th of June 1954. This statement, I feel, shows more clearly than do the Annual Report and the figures quoted by the distinguished representative wnat progress has already been made towards self~administration for Samoa. The distinguished representative of Syria considered, as did the distinguished representative of India, that political power should penetrate further into Samoan society. But, 2s the distinguished representative of Syria so wisely remarked in his interesting statement yesterday, those improvenents and reforms which would seem to be in the best interest of the people of the Territory must not be forced upon the Samoans. This is the attitude of the Administering authority exactly especially in relation to land tenure where the distinguished representative shrewdly implied there might be resistance. The Samoans are well aware that the Administering authority has under the Trusteeship agreement undertaken to respect their customs. Ten years of /co-operation followed the lest efforts. made by the Administering Authority to go fester in this field than the Samoans thought warranted. The happy mean must be assiduously pursued, although this is constantly modified as circumstances change. I was pleased to find that the distinguished representative of Syria, in his suggestions as to what must now be done, followed so closely the main projeets outlined in the Prime Minister's statement and High Commissioner's address in March of last year, most of which are now receiving active attention. Vith regard to land alienation in ‘vestern Samoa, I should remind the distinguished representative that the current legal conditions governing alienation of Samoan land are shown not on page 78 of the Annual Report but on page 81. Although no lawyer, I am appreciative of the distinguished representative's com- mentary on real rights created by leases under Roman Law. I hasten to assure him, however, that under the English system of which applies in the Territory law/a 40-year lease in Samoa creates no rights of assignment or 9001031 of sub-letting, user, renewal or compensation apart from those specifically given in the instrument of lease. /the At the end of XA)\