A.—4.

The following diagram illustrates the existing Administration channels, which work very satisfactorily

III. CHINESE LABOUR.

The Chinese Labour Ordinance continues to work very smoothly, and the Department is well administered by its Commissioner, in whom the coolies appear to have the utmost confidence. For the slightest grievance, imaginary or otherwise, a coolie asks to be allowed to see the Commissioner, knowing that he will receive fair and just treatment. It cannot therefore be interpreted from the number of complaints mentioned in the Chinese departmental report that the Chinese labourers are discontented. On the other hand, lam assured by the Chinese Consul, the Hon. Mr. Lee, that they are more contented at the present time than they have ever previously been. Arrangements have been made for the repatriation of 120 coolies, and their replacement by approximately 270 from China, within the following three months. When this transaction has been carried out the number of Chinese labourers in Western Samoa will be approximately 900. A number of the labourers are a few months overdue for repatriation. This has been deliberately arranged by the Administration in order to minimize risk of sickness, to which these men would be liable if repatriated from this tropical climate to China during the cold season. Those concerned willingly accepted this decision, but asked if they could meanwhile come under the new terms of service approved in 1923, whereby the minimum wage is fixed at 3s. per diem and certain other pre-existing labour conditions are modified. Their request, which was approved, indicates approval of the labourers themselves of the new conditions as laid down in the Chinese Free Labour Ordinance, 1923. I have also received letters from employers of labour favourably commenting upon the smooth working of this Ordinance. These facts, together with the many applications to return to Samoa that are received from repatriated Chinese labourers, indicate that under existing conditions there will be no difficulty in obtaining all the labour from China that this Territory requires. IV. EUROPEAN LANDS. As will be seen from the diagram on page 10 the area of alienated land is approximately 20 per cent, of the total. This land was acquired from the Natives prior to the British occupation of this Territory. Of the total amount acquired only 16 per cent, had bien cultivated in 1914, and no fresh areas have been brought under cultivation since that time. The remaining 84 per cent, or 120,580 acres of bush land is available, and large areas of it are suitable for development into coconut, cacao, or coffee plantations. The conversion of bush land into plantations however is far more costly than it was at the time the existing large plantations were made (when labour was obtained both from Melanesian

* The four District Inspectors visit each village and all Native plantations once every three months to help and advise the Natives, and to report on agriculture, public works, health, village-improvement, &c. They also instruct the schools in agriculture. Their reports, which primarily deal with agriculture, are transmitted to the Secretary through the Agricultural Department. f Control of the Natives is carried out as far as possible through the Faipules, who are high chiefs and represent their respective districts in the Native Council.

2—A. 4.

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