A.—4.

WIRELESS DEPARTMENT. In reviewing the work of the past year the outstanding feature has been the gradual change from the use of the spark-set transmitter on the long waves, around 2,000 metres, with the almost continual presence of static, to that on the 20-metre band using valve transmitters, with the absence of static and the consequent greater ease with which traffic is disposed of. Apia Radio now uses a wave-length of 25 metres for all coast-to-coast work, the only transmissions on the spark set being for broadcasting the weather and press reports. The use of the short wavelengths has also made possible the two-way working by Apia Radio with Wellington Radio, thus eliminating the high-power spark station at Awanui, which previously was the New Zealand station for handling the Apia traffic. The local boys who were trained in wireless telegraphy are proving reliable and efficient as operators at Apia Radio. Instead of a staff of eight Europeans from New Zealand only four are now necessarv, the other four being local lads. The out-stations, which are manned by Native boys, are also carrying on an efficient service, and proving a boon to settlers in isolated districts. Details of radio traffic handled, also of engine-running and battery-charging, are as follows :—

Details of Radio-telegraphic Business transacted at Apia Radio for the Year ended 31st March, 1928.

QUESTIONNAIRE. I. SLAVERY. (Previously dealt with : see Sixth Report, 1926.) 11. LABOUR. (Previously dealt with : see Seventh Report, 1927 ; Sixth Report, 1926 ; Fifth Report, 1925.) 111. ARMS TRAFFIC. 1. What measures are being adopted to control traffic in arms and ammunition ? 2. What are the statistics relating to imports of arms and ammunition of different categories ? 1. The Arms Ordinance, 1921, prohibits the importation or sale of arms or ammunition except under permit and license. All owners of firearms must hold a license. There is no illicit sale or

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jMessages-j Words, j Messages. Words. I £ s. d. Transmitted .. 7,634 66,817 1,671 0 6 Fagamalo— £ s. d. Local .. 90 1,047 9 11 2 Forwarded .. 234 4,301 31 11 2 New Zealand — Received .. 243 3,700 30 16 8 Forwarded .. 2,033 29,351 684 0 0 Tuasivi— Received .. 1,303 15,767 426 18 6 Forwarded .. 162 3,082 25 13 4 Suva — Received .. 207 2,918 24 9 4 Forwarded . . 402 3,458 86 12 0 Aleipata— Received .. 743 8,013 200 7 0 Forwarded .. 128 2,488 22 2 4 Pago Pago— Received .. 129 2,260 18 15 8 Forwarded . . 185 2,434 38 15 6 Fakaofo— Received .. 438 4,556 84 5 3 Forwarded .. 26 582 4 17 0 Ships— Received .. 73 1,095 9 1 4 Forwarded .. 77 1,164 29 1 6 Salailua— Received .. 104 1,067 26 13 6 Forwarded .. 109 1,925 15 19 10 Niue— Received .. Ill 1,747 14 10 2 Forwarded .. 13 156 3 18 0 Press — Received .. 7 98 2 9 0 Paid .. 101 10,275 67 0 0 Nukualofa— Free — Forwarded . . 21 186 4 14 9 Forwarded .. 60,000 Received .. 24 215 5 4 3 Received .. 120,000 Rarotonga — Forwarded .. 5 40 1 0 0 14,622 348,947 £3,544 10 3 Received .. 3 29 0 14 6 Papeete — Forwarded . . 8 90 2 5 0 Received .. 9 86 2 3 0