A.—s

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of the soil, pruning of trees, and harvesting are practically the same. 'Hie harvesting of cocoa is heavier, and the men could be used for this. Curing cocoa and weeding could be done by the women and children only. Tho proportion in Sumatra of labour is one man to five women. The main thing for a Javanese is water. He uses plenty of water because he is particularly clean in everything. The Javanese are far easier to treat with than Chinese. He still has respect for the white race ; by good treatment they will do everything and stick absolutely to their master. On most plantations drivers, watchmen, boys, and cooks are all Javanese. Now as to the location from where to take Javanese. The farther from Batavia and Soerabaya the better. The Batavians —the so-called Sudanese —are too far advanced in culture and want any amount of privileges, but the people far in the interior are very harmless and will learn quickly. The Malay language is understood by all of them, although some differ in dialects, and white people can learn it quickly. Should you have any special questions, I should be pleased to answer them." Wo consider that five thousand permanent labourers would ultimately be required to carry on the present areas under cultivation and necessary development on these areas, for the work of tho merchants, as servants, and for public works. Fresh numbers would have to be added as business increased and new settlers arrived to take up virgin bush. Wo would like to point out that unless the right to indenture this amount of labour were guaranteed, and for a stated term, no new capital could be induced to come into the colony. We have just heard that a large number of Javanese have boon imported to Noumea by the French for work there. For publio works, where higher wages could be paid, we consider that Niueans could be procured on contract from Niue, with the permission of the Minister of External Affairs. Despite Colonel Logan's original idea that Natives could be trained to work on the plantations, we have no hesitation in saying, and have shown you by figures, that for many years to come their numbers will only be sufficient to look after the acreage they already have under cultivation. The necessity for the improvement of roads in the plantation area is apparent, as we hope to show you. Two hundred labourers could bo used on this work alone. The planters also pray you that you will consider some scheme of advances to settlers. Our only bank, the Bank of Now Zealand, owing to the unsettled state of tho planting industry, will not advance a penny on the most valuable plantation property, thus putting tho plantation-owners frequently in difficulty between crops and when the trees are nearly coming into fruition. Should tho labour difficulty bo satisfactorily settled, in the future when the country is opened out more by roads and the operations of largo companies, no doubt fit men of energy and resource will be able, as in other colonies, to carve out homes for themselves, but the wherewithal for them to exist must first of all be created. If the present prices of copra and cacao do not materially lower, then many thousands of acres arc awaiting only tho necessary road access and capital to bring them into remunerative investments ; but we consider that no ono would be willing to finance any concern if a bank is not willing to do so. We would not be doing our duty to those we represent if we did not point out as strongly as we are able that the planters, owing to adverse conditions, are. barely existing. None of them, except the D.H. and P.G., have taken out of the country a penny profit. Any returns they may have had from their properties have been reinvested in the way of development of fresh areas for cultivation. The planters bog you to appoint a local Secretary of Labour who will deal with all labour questions arising, also a scientist who will advise thorn in tho matter of fertilizing, &c. There are so many things in connection with the Government of this colony that vitally affect the interests and welfare of the planters, and in the immediate future there are likely to crop up so many important points in connection with the planting industry, in the discussion and final decision of which we consider we should have a voice, and upon which we are of opinion the planters' experience and advice would be necessary and invaluable to the Government, and in order to protect our interests, we think it incumbent upon the Government to elect at least two planters to act on the Administrator's Council. When you come down to the people who count, the real stakeholders in tho country, you will find the planters' interests astonishingly large, and so great in proportion to other interests that tho influence the laws and Government of the country have over us is a life-and-death one, and we put it to you, gentlemen, if, in our position, when our very existence is concerned, you do not think our request for direct representation a right and reasonable one. With at least two seats we would in a measure feel that our interests were safeguarded, and our association would have representatives who would keep us an, fait with tho doings of tho Council, and through whom we could express tho views of our association. In conclusion, gentlemen, we trust we have put before you sufficient data and arguments to make you realize tho gravity of the position, the seriousness of the matter on which you have to adjudicate, and how insolubly the future prosperity of the country is connected with labour and agriculture, and repeat to you the resolution which was carried unanimously by a representative meeting of planters : " Tho planters desire to submit to the new Civil Administration the promise of loyal support by putting all their experience and energy unreservedly to the common task of making Samoa prosperous." Municipality fob Apia. The Samoa Constitution Order states (paragraph 61) ■' It shall not be lawful or competent by any ordinance." (Clauses (d)) "to establish any form of municipal or local government possessed of rating, taxing, or legislative authority." In direct contradiction to clause (d) of this paragraph, we respectfully pray that the Constitution should particularly provide for the establishment of a municipality for Apia. In the treaty of 1889 between the three Powers over Samoan affairs a municipality was established in Apia, and if one was ever required it is certainly needed now. The town of Apia is the only European settlement in Samoa, and, apart from the fact that the residents should be allowed some form of local government over affairs, a Municipal Council would relieve tho Administration of quite a lot of responsibility if the roads, public works, &c., within the area were turned over to it; tho water scheme and sanitation within the boundaries of tho municipality would also with advantage be passed over to the Municipal Council. The boundaries of the old municipality may be somewhat revised to fill the requirements of the suggested one. The plantation district as now existing was not there when the old borough was formed. The municipality taking over large expenditure from the Administration would require to be vested with powers for rating, taxing, &c, within the area. Native villages within the said municipality should have all their rights reserved to them, and would not be interfered with by the Municipal Council except in regard to sanitation and roads. Natives would not be taxed by the Municipal Council except for what is actually served to them at their own request in the form of water, light, &c. If a municipality were established in Apia it is needless to say that the Municipal Council would be eleoted by the European residents, and would thus have greater weight and powers than a Chamber of Commerce, but should not prevent the establishment of a Chamber of Commerce later if one were deemed necessary. Besides relieving the Administration of a lot of local affairs appertaining to the European community and the town of Apia, the Municipal Council may also be of great assistance to the Administrator and tho Legislative Council in shaping the general policy for Samoa, whenever occasion arises. Had a Municipal Council for Apia been in existence now, many of the complex problems which the present committee had to deal with for representation to the Parliamentary Party from New Zealand would have devolved on it, and matters made much easier for the residents in this as well as all other points of public interest to the residents of Apia. Every Native village has a Village Council to deal with local affairs, and if old Native customs are to be observed they will retain their rights ; therefore it is the opinion of the residents that the time has arrived when they should have some form of local government, and a municipality for Apia would just meet the ease. We are informed that Colonel Logan has already submitted a scheme to the New Zealand authorities concerning a proposed municipality for Apia, with plans and all the necessary data complete. The said plan covers only about half the area of the old municipality, but the property within the area is assessed at about a quarter of a million sterling. A small tax on property alone would make an ample basis for funds. We sincerely trust that tho New Zealand Government will take into serious consideration the conceding of our request for a sadly felt want.