Western Samoa is the first group of Pacific islands to achieve political indpendence, though it is still subsidised by the New Zealand Government, which is also responsible for its foreign policy. Its electoral laws give representation to only 15% of the adult population, the traditional chiefs. Dr. Chester Williams, an American member of a U.N. team charged with the task of drawing up an educational policy for Samoa, claimed when leaving his post at the end of July, that New Zealand's influence on Samoan eceucation had been marked by an insularity and blindness to the real needs of the country. New Zealand, he declared, did not want to relinquish control over Samoan education. There was no attempt to educate the masses - a crucial need in a country where only 15% of the population can vote.
"No “new schools should be opened until the quality of education is improved," Dr, Williams said. Pacific Islands Review quotes "one New Zealand teacher with long service in Samoa" as endorsing Dr. Williams criticisms. Although Dr. Williams criticisms gained wide publicity in Western Samoa, including a broadcast reply by Samoan Prime Minister Mataafa, there has been almost no publicity given to the controversy in New Zealand.