A.—4.

4

In addition to its purely legislative work, the Council has considered certain, extra-legislative matters referred to by the Administrator, to whom its advice and assistance have proved of great value. REPATRIATION OE GERMANS. In December, 1919, after it became known that the Mandate for Western Samoa had been definitely assigned to New Zealand, the Government decided, in anticipation of the ratification of the Treaty of Peace, to repatriate all full-blooded German nationals resident in the Territory. In giving effect to this decision the New Zealand Government most carefully considered the individual circumstances of each Gorman national, and it exempted from repatriation any German who had. a Samoan wife or family ties, or who had Samoan blood, or whose particular circumstances, such as those relating to his domestic affairs, age, physical disability, length of tropical residence, &,c, were considered of a nature sufficient to warrant his exclusion from the Order. It was not possible, however, owing to the difficulty in securing transport, to effect the repatriation until the following June, when 190 repatriatees were embarked on the steamship " Main." Of this number eleven were German and Austrian passengers who voluntarily sought repatriation. On the arrival of the s.s. " Main " at Apia, sickness (simple influenza) was found on board. A strict quarantine was instituted, and provision made for the proper isolation of the sick on board the vessel; the option of embarking or postponing embarkation in those cases where persons feared infection was given to the Germans, but all except live preferred to embark. GROWN ESTATES. The Crown estates of Samoa, which are the property of the Government of the Dominion of New Zealand, consist of the plantations, trading-stations, and other landed properties which formerly belonged to the German companies and nationals operating or residing in Western Samoa. These properties have been retained and dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Article 297 of the Treaty of Peace. The New Zealand Government has decided to administer these, plantations as Grown estates, and to use the profits derived, from them to supplement the ordinary revenue of the Samoan Treasury as may be, required from time to time in providing those works and services which are considered necessary in fulfilment of the obligation imposed on it, as mandatory, to " promote to the utmost the material and moral well-being and the social progress of the inhabitants of the Territory." NATIVE SELF-GOVERNMENT. There seems to be a desire among a certain section of the Samoans, which probably is not widespread, for complete self-government: but such a course is impracticable in the present state of Samoan development and education. The administrative government and the legislative government for the whole population, both European and Samoan, are vested in the Administrator, acting, in the case of the legislative government, with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council. Under the Cerman Administration of Samoa tin; Natives were trusted with the performance of certain administrative duties, a, course which was continued under the Military Administration, and is continued and being extended under the present Civil Administration, so far as the capacity of the Native Samoan extends. This is effected by appointment of part-time officials charged with the performance of various duties, a short statement of which will serve to show the manner in which the Native Samoan exercises a share in tin; government of his own people. The Pulenuu is an official tantamount to a Mayor, and is chosen by the inhabitants of the village over which he rules. He is responsible, among other things, for the cleanliness and peace of his village, that his villagers perform their duties in beetle-suppression, arid he exercises functions to ensure, copra being properly made, and he collects tho Native taxes. The remainder of the Native officials are not chosen by the people of their districts, but are appointed by the Administrator, and as a general rule vacancies in the higher positions are filled from the ranks of the Pulenuus, so that a system of promotion exists. Next senior to the Pulenuu is the Faamasino, who is a Native Judge, and exercises a limited jurisdiction in both civil and criminal matters arising between Native and Native. Next is the Komisi, who is a Native assessor of the Land and Titles Commission, a tribunal which exercises judicial functions in questions regarding Native land and titles. Next is the Puiefaaloaga, an official acting under the Agricultural Department, to whom is now entrusted duties of supervision and inspection in regard to Native plantations and the suppression of the beetle pest until lately exercised by white inspectors. The development of this departure is being watched with interest, and promises success. The Fai'pule comes next in seniority. He is a member of a Native Council, which exists for the purpose of advising and assisting the Administrator in the government of the Native people. The Council is called together to meetings which are called fonos, and on these occasions the Faipules present to the Administrator such matters as they desire him to consider, and the Administrator presents to the Faipules such matters as he desires them to consider. After consideration, the Administrator makes decisions upon the various matters raised, and where orders are necessary he issues orders, which are called tulafonos. Improvements in the (Existing procedure are contemplated to encourage more debate and discussion, and to achieve a fuller ventilation of subjects under consideration than obtains at present. It is also in contemplation to inaugurate fixed periodical sittings. Matters affecting tho Native race only are dealt with by this process of consultation with and consideration by the Faipules, and even in matters with which they are quite conversant, and in which they are, or should be, deeply interested, progress is slow and difficult. The matters which affect the white community, or the white community and the Native community alike, such as the criminal law or the law relating to evidence, or marriage, or companies, art; not referred to the Faipules, but are dealt with by the Legislative Council. There is an agitation afoot to invest the Faipules with not only the powers which the Legislative Council now has, but also with such administrative powers as would give them complete powers of government in all respects, both as affecting the white com-