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1922. NEW ZEALAND.

MANDATED TERRITORY OF WESTERN SAMOA (FIRST REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DOMINION OF NEW ZEALAND ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF) FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1st MAY, 1920, TO 31st MARCH, 1921.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Sir,— Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, 24th November, 1921. I have the honour, in compliance with the direction of Article 6 of the Mandate for German Samoa, to submit herewith, for the information of the Council of the League of Nations, the first report of the Government of the Dominion of New Zealand with respect to its mandated territory. 2. It will be appropriate at this stage, I think, to point out that although the Mandate did not reach New Zealand until April, 1921, a Civil Government, based on the principles embodied in the Covenant of the League of Nations, and now explicitly defined and confirmed by the Council of the League, has been in operation in Western Samoa since the Ist May, 1920, under the authority of an Order passed by His Britannic Majesty in Council on the Ilth March, 1.920. It has been deemed expedient, therefore, to report forthwith on the affairs of the Territory for the period from the Ist May, 1920, to the 31st March, 1921, and to indicate the measures taken by New Zealand in the discharge of its Mandate obligations, it will be noted that on this occasion supplementary reports of a later date in respect of certain branches of administration have, been added. In future the annual report to be forwarded in accordance with Article 6 will be for the twelve months from the Ist April to 31st March. 3. In the, absence of the Mandate as explicitly defined by the Council of the League, it was not possible for the Government of New Zealand to make permanent statutory provision for the peace, order, and good government of the Territory. Temporary provision for the establishment of a Civil Constitution in Samoa was therefore made by Orders in Council under the authority referred to in paragraph 2, ponding the receipt of the Mandate. Legislation to take the place of these Orders is now being considered by Parliament, and when passed will come into force, on the Ist April, 1922. 4. The accompanying report, together with the Samoa Constitution and Supplementary Orders and Local Ordinances (copies of which are attached hereto) will, 1 trust, full)' indicate the measures taken by New Zealand, to carry out the obligations assumed under the Mandate. 1 have, &c, W. F. Massey, The Secretary-General, Council of the League of Nations, Geneva. Prime Minister

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