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Now Your Excellency sees that we are steadfast in our opinion. If Europeans come here and want to trade, let them do so ; but if they mingle with Samoan Native affairs and attempt to create political trouble or wish to become Samoan people, then their license to trade as Europeans should be cancelled. In their present attitude they may cause some Samoans to break the law because of their promptings. Some of our people have sworn allegiance to the British Government, and these people have caused them to break the law. We plead with your Excellency to keep on steering our ship Regarding their story of harsh administration and tyrannical punishments, it is obvious they do not know our history or our earlier Samoan customs or they would know that the present forms of punishment are accepted by us as mild and kindly administered. One thing only is in their minds —that they may increase their own wealth at our expense ; and yet they are permitted to continue this. We are not of the opinion that Samoans should be punished heavily for their part in the present situation, because they have heard beguiling stories from this committee. Had this European committee the love for us that they assert they could show us by practical means. Let them, for instance, call us together in a Fono and make known their love to us by proclaiming a reduction in the price of a bag of sugar, flour, &e., and increasing the price of our copra. We have no concern as to Europeans and their liquor, but we are determined that no strong drink will be permitted to Samoans. We know it produces war and death. I myself was told by Governor Solf of the danger and injurious effects of strong drink. The Samoan kava is sufficient for us and all our customs. Those are the subjects of our reply. We see no use for their pamphlet published this month, and we now place our opinions before Your Excellency, which we wish you to send to the New Zealand Government. QUESTIONNAIRE. I. SLAVERY. (a) 1. What measures are being taken with a view to ensuring the suppression of the slave trade ? 2. What results have been obtained ? (b) 1. Is slavery recognized legally ? 2. Does domestic or other slavery still exist ? Give statistics. 3. What are the principal causes of slavery (gambling, drink, &c.) ? 4. Is the pledging of a person recognized legally ? 5. Under what conditions can a slave get his freedom ? 6. What measures have been taken, or are being taken, to provide for the emancipation of slaves and to put an end to all slavery, domestic or otherwise ? 7. Is there any time-limit fixed for the emancipation of slaves ? If in the affirmative, how long is the period ? Last year's answers apply. 11. LABOUR. (a) 1. Have measures been taken to ensure, in accordance with Part XIII of the Treaty of Versailles, the taking into consideration of conventions or recommendations of International Labour Conferences ? 2. Are these conventions or recommendations being carried into effect ? 3. By what other provisions is free labour protected ? (b) 1. What are the measures intended to ensure the prohibition of forced labour for purposes other than essential public works and services, and what are the effective results of these measures ? 2. For what public works and services is forced Native labour required ? How is this regulated ? 3. Are there any other forms of forced labour, such as labour in lieu of taxation, maintenance of highways, &c. ? If in the affirmative, how are these regulated ? (c) 1. How is the recruiting of labour required by private enterprise organized and regulated ? Does the Administration participate in this recruiting ? 2. Does the Administration allow recruiting in the mandated area of labour for another territory ? If so, under what conditions ? 3. Is there any system of indentured (Chinese or other) labour in the Territory ? If so, what are the conditions of indenture, and what steps are being taken to provide for the moral and material well-being of the Natives of the Territory, vis-a-vis the indentured labourers ? i. What compulsory and disciplinary measures are authorized with respect to Native labour ? 5. What powers has the Administration for controlling labour contracts in order to ensure their loyal fulfilment both on the part of the employed and employer, and what powers does it possess to prevent any abuses in this respect ?

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