SAMOA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 309, 25 September 1919, Page 10

SAMOA

THE IMPENDING CHANGE. The impending change of the administration from war conditions to civil control affords me a fitting opportunity, of reciting shortly the course of events in Samoa since the islands were enptuvxl by our first Expeditionary Force in 101-1, 6ays Sir James Allen in the course of the Financial Statement. From that ovent up to July 31, 1919, the total expenditure incurred by New Zealand on behalf of Samoa amounted to .£413,303.

The first important step . after our military administration was established was the liquidation of the businesses hitherto carried on by enemy nationals. Tho principal of. these was the Deutsche Ha ridels und riantagen Gessellschaft, more commonly known as the D.H. an<i I'.G. The administration of these businesses has been very successful. Up to August 31 last, accumulated profits arising out of the administration to the extent of ,£157,995 have been remitted to New Zealand and invested in war debentures and New Zealand inscribed stock at 4J per cent, interest. The accumulated interest now amounts lo ,£so34. In addition, the liquidator is at present holding in Samoa further accumulated profits to the value of ,£25,000. These moneys, in accordance with _ the provisions of. the mandate conferring authority on New Zealand to govern German Samoa, will be held in this Dominion as part of the reparation money due by Germany.

In July, 1915, steps were taken to convert the German currency into British currency. The Administration took over German note; to tho' value of 095,525 marks, silver and nickel to the value of 723,765.95 marks, and gold to the value of 86,580 marks, or a total German currency of 1.505,870.95 marks. This was sold for ,£59,127. which snm is hold as a reserve aqainst the note issue. The rate of exchange arranged was 20.00 marks to the pound sterling, so that on this basis the loss on the conversion amounted to ,£13,974. This loss has l>ccn made good out of the surplus profits hold by the Samoan Administration.

In order to facilitate commerce and exchange between New Zealand and Samoa. n branch of the Bank of New Zealand was opened in Apia on April 22. 1915. mid ,£IOO,OOO worth of Bank of New Zealand notes were overprinted and forwarded to Samoa. Of this amount .£47,000 were issued in Samoa, and .£53.000 have since been returned to New Zealand, and are now held here by tho bank for cancellation,-

On the return to New Zealand of the Expeditionary Force the military establishment in occupation at Samoa was fixed at a total of 398 olficers and other ranks. At the present time the normal establishment is 239 officers and other ranks, but the actual number of troops, including the Commander-in-Chief and his staff, is 129 of all ranks, or 110 below strength. Tho maintenance of this Fore? has 'been necessary for the preservation of order, but this military force will be demobilised and will be replaced by civil police as eoon as civil control is established.

'.Die future control of Samoa is nmv definitely vested in New Zealand as the mandatory power approved by the League of Nations. The actual text of the mandate conferring jurisdiction on., (his Dominion has not yet been received, hut sufficient is known to .warrant, me in say.inprthiit fhe Dominion vi" be «riv" *• jurisdiction and authority to govern Samoa as if it were an integral part of New Zealand, subject only to conditions and restrictions that may be expressed in the mandate, and legislation to enable th" Government to provide for the pwuio, order, and good government of Samoa wi',l be placed 'before I'arlinment. (.his session. As soon as the mandate is received the Adininislration will be empowered to diatmibo of the land and estates of enemv nationals in the ceded territory. Hitherto the Administration has only Vrn authorised to disiwse of businesses. The method nf disposal', has nft yet been decided: but there ar? three alternatives:—fa) Sale to a company strong enoitcli Jo purchase and work Urm; (M subdivision find ■ pnle lo individuals: (rt purchase by ihe Crown for Imm either as a whole or in subdivisions. Already inquiries l*ivo been

mode on behalf of syndicates in New. Zealand, Australia, and tlio United Kingdom.

The Administrator has reported that certain public utilities and works aro urgently required. The Government lias been unable to deal with these matters up to the presont owing to the uncertainty as to the control of the islands,, but now that our future jurisdiction is assured it is intended to proceed forthwith with the most urgent of theso -works, and authority has been granted for the expenditure of ,£30,000 on waterworks ond sanitary drainage. Immediate provision should "be' made for these two essential services. The money for this purpose is 'being provided by the liquidator from the accumulated profits arising from the administration of enemy estates held by him in Samoa, and is being advanced as a loan at -ij per cent, interest with 1 per cent, sinking fund. llurin? the period of occupation (he Administration has also allocated an average of ,£15,000 per annum out of tho Revenue Account for capital l , expenditure on dovclopment and other works. COOK ISLANDS. His Excellency the GovornorjGeneral, accompanied by the Minister for "ho Cook Islands, recently paid a visit to Samoa and tho Cook Islands, and thero is no doubt tho visit will have beneficial effects. During tho year the -wireless installation was completed and opened for public use. The installation has proved of great value, and the returns from business nro very satisfactory. A school has been opened at Avarua, and thero aro now three schools at Rarotonga under tho direction of European teachers and 0110 under .a native teacher. A school Ims also besn opened at the Island of Mangaia under a European master. The influenza epidemic was felt in a comparatively mi'.d form in tho Cook Group, and Niue Island was not affected at all.