A.—4.

The material welfare of the Natives, as well as their moral and social welfare, receives the most sympathetic consideration of the Administration —indeed, the progress and advancement of the indigenous inhabitants are always the first consideration. The land of the Natives is held under their customs and usages, and is preserved to them by the prohibition of alienation (See Samoa Act, 1921, sections 278 to 283.) The energies of the Natives are directed to the production of copra from their coconut-palms, and to the production of foodstuffs from their plantations. They produce the greater part of the copra exported. The local price of the copra is regulated by the competition of buyers, and their sales of copra produce to the Natives a sufficiency of money for their needs. They are protected from exploitation in the purchase price of goods required by them, by the provisions of the Samoa Board of Trade Order, 1921. The administration of the government of the Natives is entrusted largely to themselves through their own officials. The Fono of Faipules, or Native Parliament, has been given statutory recognition by the Samoa Amendment Act, 1923, and all matters affecting the welfare of the Natives are discussed by the Administrator with the Faipules at their Fono, which assembles twice yearly. The following table will indicate the extent to which the indigenous inhabitants participate in the Public Service : —

Summary of Staff, showing extent to which Native Samoans participate in Public Service.

Note. —In addition to the above, some eighty Samoans and half-castes are employed as casual staff in the Harbour, Public Works, Postal, Lands and Survey, and Engineering Departments, and as crew of the ss. " Lady Roberts." All these also receive instruction in trades or other useful occupations. XII. PUBLIC FINANCES. The general schedule of receipts from, and expenditure on, the Territory, Budget system, indication of the nature and assessment of taxes. (a.) See particulars on pages 34 to 36 for receipts from and expenditure on the Territory. (b.) Budget System.—Estimates of revenue and expenditure for the ensuing year are issued on or prior to the first day of the financial year. Under the Samoa Act (section 32) the Administrator, subject to the control of the Minister of External Affairs, New Zealand, directs expenditure from the Samoan Treasury. (c.) Nature and Assessment of Taxes. Customs : See Samoa Customs Consolidation Order, 1923. Building-tax, salary-tax, store-tax, and business licenses : See Taxation, Licensing, and Revenue Ordinance, 1921, and amendments thereof. Personal tax : See Taxation, Licensing, and Revenue Ordinance, 1921, and amendments 1 hereof. Personal tax is payable as follows : Every male Samoan seventeen years of age and over—(a) If a Matai, £1 4s. per annum ; (b) if a Taulealea, £1 per annum. Every male person of eighteen years of age not being a Samoan, £1 ss. per annum. Medical subscription : Every male Samoan seventeen years of age and over pays a medical subscription of £1 per annum, in exchange for which universal free medical treatment, medicines, and attention are given to all Samoans. The levying of this subscription was asked for by the Samoans themselves. All persons other than Samoans have to pay for whatever medical trea'.ment and attention they receive.

XIII. DEMOGRAPHIC STATISTICS. Births, Marriages, Deaths, Immigration and Emigration. Return showing the Births, Deaths, and Marriages, also Immigration and Emigration, for the Year ended 31st December, 1924.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (1,190 copies, including illustrations and maps), £135.

By Authority: W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l92s.

Price 2s.]

44

Europeans. Half-casteb. Native Samoans. I 31/3/1924. j 31/3/1925. | 31/3/1924. 31/3/1925.j 31/3/1924.J 31/3/1925. Departmental officials .. .. 8-3 81 14 22 149 148 Samoa Crown Estates .. .. 8: 4 3 1 2 Samoa Public Trust Office .. .. 2 2 1 Part-time Native officials .. . . .. .. .. .. 318 330 Temporary officers .. .. 7 1, 1 .. 4 Totals .. .. 100 88 18 24 473 I 478

i I I I I Births. Deaths. j Marriages. {Immigration.! Emigration. Native Samoans .. .. .. 1,900 766 198 1,156 1,273 Europeans and half-castes .. .. 119 17 32 399 496 Chinese labourers .. .. . . . . 5 1 1 207 Melanesian labourers .. .. .. 1 10 1 .. 36 Totals .. .. .. 2,020 ! 798 232 1,556 ! 2,012 ■ . I i