A.—4b.

That is utterly inconsistent with the mandate. Is what you have just told the Commission the object of the Mau ? —No, it is not. What is the object of the Mau—that is, the general scheme of the Mau I—The object of the Mau is only to bring grievances before the Administration. Nothing more ? —No. Do you agree with Mr. Nelson's view that the people should control the finances of the country 1 ■ —No ; we cannot do it under the mandate. You do not agree with that I—No.1 —No. Do you agree with him that the powers of the Administrator should be taken away from him and given to the representatives of the people. lam quoting his own words: do you agree with that ? — The power of government or the making of legislation ? The power of making legislation should be taken away from him and entrusted to the people : is that what you suggest ? —I think the people ought to have more say in the legislation of the country. That is not an answer to my question. Do you think the powers of the Administrator should be taken away from him and entrusted to the people ? —I am sure I cannot answer that question; it is inconsistent with the mandate. lam glad you realize that fact. I understand that you advocate a scheme by which there should be three additional elected members placed on the existing Legislative Council ? —Yes. I am not going to concern myself with the method of election, but the result would be that on many measures there might be six to six, and the only protection for the Administration would be the casting-vote of the Administrator ? —Yes. I want to put it to you, is it not an impossible position in which to place any Administrator entrusted with the government of the country ? —I am not quite sure what you mean, sir. Is it not absolutely impracticable for a man to administer the government of the country if he only has a casting-vote in the Assembly which controls expenditure and legislation ? —I do not think so. You think it is quite practicable ? —Yes. And you further think with respect to his casting-vote that it should, at any rate, be subject to review by the Minister in New Zealand ? —Yes. So that if the Administrator gives his casting-vote on any disputed measure it would require at least two months, or longer, before he could act upon it ? —I think in most cases the matter could be submitted by wireless. Could the Administrator submit pros and cons on a contentious matter by wireless ?—I think most of the Acts that are passed could wait. You see no objection to a delay of at least two months—in practice it would be longer—before the Administrator is capable of acting on his casting-vote ? —I do not think so. It would be similar to an Order in Council in New Zealand. The Chairman : In the case of New Zealand the Order becomes operative the moment it is issued. George Egerton Leigh Westbrook sworn and examined. Mr. Baxter.'] You are a merchant of Apia, a member of the Legislative Council, and a member of the Citizens Committee ? —Yes. When were you first elected a member of the Legislative Council'? —In 1924. Have you been a member since that time up to the present ? —Yes. There was another election held later on. I believe at that time there was some political unrest in the country. When you were re-elected was your majority increased or decreased ? —lncreased. On the Legislative Council therfr are six nominated official members and three elected members, who are Mr. Williams, Mr. Nelson, and yourself ? —Yes. At the debates in the Council how does the voting generally go on any matters on a division ?- — It always goes against the elected members. The Government majority always defeats them. Is the opinion of the elected members ever sought outside the Council on any matters concerning the general public or not ?—No, the opinion of the elected members is not sought outside the Council. Referring to the matter of the estimates : I believe these estimates come before the Legislative Council ?—They do. And you are given copies beforehand ? —A few days before. Then they are considered by the Legislative Council ? —Yes. And are taken by headings ? —Yes. Have the elected members ever been able to bring about alterations in the estimates in any way ?— Not to my knowledge. The Council in its working—does it sit just like a committee and just discuss things freely and get explanations of each before coming to a final decision by the whole of the members, or does it work like a Parliament with an opposition side ? —Like a Parliament. It has been suggested that there should be Native members on the Council : I should like you to state what your opinion is on such a proposal ? —My opinion is that the Natives should be represented on the Council, inasmuch as the Council passes Ordinances concerning the Natives. And do you suggest that those Natives should be nominated or elected ? — Elected. How many do you suggest putting on the Council ? 1 believe in Native representation on the Council: probably two. How would you have your Council organized ? Would you have three parties, then —the official members, the European elected members, and the two Native members ? —Yes,

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