Providing for a Continuance of Civil Government for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

Providing for a Continuance of Civil Government for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (Report). Washington, DC: Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. 1954-07-08.

• Has attachment: File:5RKQU867.pdf

Abstract: “Providing for a Continuance of Civil Government for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands” pertains to the legislative process and rationale for maintaining civil government in the Trust Territory, once mandated by Japan and now administered by the United States under a United Nations trusteeship. The purpose of the bill H.R. 8754 is to provide statutory authority for the continuation of civil government in the territory, while more comprehensive organic legislation is being prepared but is not yet ready for introduction.

The (then) current legislative act, Public Law 229, will expire on June 30, and there is a necessity for interim legislation to continue governance and existing programs. The proposal is supported by the Department of the Interior, which emphasizes a flexible governmental system as being more suitable for the area’s complex social structure. Additionally, the Department of Defense concurs with the bill and supports its enactment. The bill is seen as advancing the political, economic, social, and educational development of the territory’s inhabitants, and as a step towards fulfilling the United States’ international obligations under the trusteeship agreement. There is no objection from the Bureau of the Budget to submitting the report.