8.—6.

XXVIII

of the impossibility of ascertaining even an approximate estimate of the probable output on account of the erratic and uncertain disposition of the scheelite in the claims. Negotiations are still proceeding with, the Ministry of Munitions, and it is expected that a basis of settlement satisfactory to producers will shortly be reached. The total payments made by the Department from the 3rd March, 1915, to 31st March, 1919, amount to £95,909,600, made up as under : — £ Frozen meat .. .. .. .. .. 32,869,318 Cheese , .. .. .. .. .. 12,738,052 Butter .. .. .. .. ..5,651,619 Scheelite .. .. .. .. .. 135,213 Wool .. .. ' .. .. .. 40,475,712 Sheep-skins .. .. .. .. .. 1,581,413 Hides .. .. . . .. . . 725,339 Other business ~ ~ .. .. 1,732,934 £95,909,600 SAMOAN ADMINISTRATION. 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 captured by our first Expeditionary Force in 1914. From that event up to the 31st July, 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. The principal of these was the Deutsche Handels und Plantagen Gessellschaft, more commonly known as the D.H. and P.G. The administration of these businesses has been very successful. Up to the 31st August 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 4| per cent, interest. The accumulated interest now amounts to £8,034. 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 notes to the value of 695,525 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 sum is held as a reserve against the note-issue. The rate of exchange arranged was 20-60 marks to the pound sterling, so that on this basis the loss on the conversion amounted to £13,974. This loss has been made good out of the surplus profits held by the Sanioan Administration. In order to facilitate commerce and exchange between New Zealand and Samoa, a branch of the Bank of New Zealand was opened in Apia on the 22nd April, 1915, and £100,000 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 the 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 officers and other ranks. At the present time the normal establishment is 239 officers and otherranks, but the actual number of troops, including the Commander-in-Chief and his staff, is 129 of all ranks, or 110 below strength. The maintenance of this Force has been necessary for the preservation of order, but this Military Force will be demobilized and will be replaced by civil police as soon as civil control is established. The future control of Samoa is now definitely vested in New Zealand as the mandatory power approved by the League of Nations. The actual text of the mandate conferring jurisdiction on this Dominion has not yet been received, but sufficient is known to warrant me in saying that the Dominion will be given full