A.—4

4

REPORT. The following report has been compiled from information and data furnished by the Permanent Heads of the several Departments concerned with the administration of the Territory: — LEGISLATION. In New Zealand. Tho following Orders in Council have been passed during the year ended 31st March, 1923: — Amending the Samoa Treasury Regulations, 1920. (26th September, 1922.) Amending the Samoan Crown Estates Order, 1920. (4th October, 1922.) Amending the Samoan Crown Estates Order, 1920. (24th October, 1922.) Amending the Samoan Sale of Intoxicating Liquor Regulations, 1922. (30th October, 1922.) Samoa Bankruptcy Order. (4th December, 1922.) Samoa Death Duties Order. (4th December, 1922.) Samoa, Post and Telegraph Amendment 1 Order, 1923. (12th February, 1923.) Additional Regulations relating to Samoa Treasury and Samoan Crown Estates Aocount. (12th February. 1923.) Samoan Public, Service and Treasury Regulations. (9th March, 1923.) In Samoa. During the year ending the 31st March, 1923, tin- Legislative Council has sat on twelve occasions, ami has passed the following Ordinances: — No. 1, 1922: Water-supply Offences Ordinance, 1922. No. 2, 1922 : Taxation Licensing and Revenue Amendment Ordinance, 1922. No. 3, 1922: Building Alignment Ordinance, 1922. No. 4, 1922: Land Surveys Regulation Ordinance, 1922. No. 5, 1922 : Police Offences Ordinance, 1922. No. 6, 1922 : Samoan Offenders Ordinance, 1922. No. 1, 1923 : Dog Registration Ordinance, 1923. No. 2, 1923: Arms Amendment Ordinance, 1923. No. 3, 1923: Copra Ordinance, 1923. No. 4, 1923: Merchandise Price List Ordinance, 1923. No. 5, 1923: Horse-racing Ordinance, 1923. No. 6, 1923: Chinese Contract Labour Control Amendment Ordinance, 1923. Copies of these Orders and Ordinances have been fin-warded to the Secretary-General ol the League of Nations and to each member of the Permanent Mandates Commission. NATIVE AFFAIRS. In the month of April, 1922, an extraordinary Fono of the Faipules was called to consider the Samoa Act. The Samoan translation of the Act was distributed among the Faipules, and three days were spent, in explaining its meaning clause by clause. There is no doubt that this work, which was enthusiastically entered into by the. Faipules, laid the foundations for a better understanding of New Zealand's desires for Samoa. The regular Fono of Faipules was held in the following June, when much good work was accomplished. The tone throughout evidenced a desire to " let the past be the past," and to present a more consolidated front for the future. At the conclusion of the Fono, speeches of loyalty to New Zealand and confidence in the Government and Administration were made by the Faipules. In November an official Malaga, occupying twenty days, was undertaken by the Administrator. The districts of Manono, Falelatai, Lefaga, Falealili, Lepa, Lotofaga, and Aleipata were visited, and demonstrations of loyalty -were general throughout the tour. The second ordinary Fono of Faipules was held in December, when several Ordinances affecting the Samoans were considered. The most important measure discussed, however, was the proposed medical tax. In exchange for this tax it is proposed to institute free medical attention for the Samoans, with dispensaries and Medical Officers at certain centres throughout the Group. After discussion, the Faipules agreed that a tax was preferable to individual payment, and, while suggesting that the tax should not exceed £1 per head of the present taxpayers, they left the matter in the hands of the Administrator. In agreeing to this tax the Faipules have shown their confidence in the Government. It is gratifying to record that any discontent or dissatisfaction that may seem to have existed at the commencement of the year has entirely disappeared, and to-day, as the Faipules said in their farewell address to Colonel R. W. Tate, C.8.E., C.M.G., the retiring Administrator, on the 13th Maroh, 1923, " The flame of loyalty to New Zealand, our guardian, burns brightly." The attitude of the Faipules and of the Samoan people to-day augurs well for the future. The coming year should show the results of a settled condition and contented mind by a closer attention to local industries on the part of the Natives and a greater unity between all classes of the community.