23

A.—4.

At least once a year also the mission colleges are visited, and for a brief period a Native Inspector devotes two days a week to teaching the senior students. (3) Duties of the Superintendent of Schools. —In addition to the necessity of sharing in discussions relating to the educational policy of the Territory and the usual administrative duties attached to an executive position, the Superintendent of Schools, as previously mentioned, forms one of the inspection stall of the Education Department, this duty involving him in frequent tours of inspectioE in outlying districts. The supervision and upkeep of school plantation lands also devolves upon him. (4) Quality of Native Education. —The opening of a Teachers' Training School in Savai'i operated on similar lines to the existing one in Upolu is indicative of an endeavour to improve the qualifications of those in whose hands rests the ultimate task of teaching the young. It is shortly hoped to build a Teachers' Training College with a Principal specializing exclusively in that work. XVIII.—LIQUOR AND DRUGS. (Information in the form recommended by the Permanent Mandates Commission in the Report of its 21st Session.) A. There were no changes in legislation or regulations issued during the year. B. The judicial statistics in Chapter X show seven persons arrested or summoned during 1937-38 for breaches of the laws and regulations relating to liquor. All were convicted. Figures for preceding years were — Arrested or „ . , , summoned Evicted. 1936-37 .. .. .. .. .. .. .13 11 1935-36 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 8 1934-35 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 6 C. Spirits and alcoholic beverages imported during the financial year 1937-38 : —

For sacramental purposes, 320 gallons of wine ; rectified spirits of wine for industrial purposes, 420 gallons. D. Production within the Territory is prohibited by law. E. Revenue derived from duties on importation, 1937-38 : — Medicinal liquor (import duty Yl\ per cent., or 25 per cent., and Port and £ g . d. Customs service tax 5 per cent.) . . .. .. .. .. 793 12 6 Industrial liquor (import duty per cent., or 25 per cent., and Port and Customs service tax 5 per cent.) .. . . .. . . . . . . Nil. (Note. —No duty was payable under this head as the 420 gallons of rectified spirits of wine referred to in paragraph C were all imported by the administration.) Sacramental liquor (free of import duty ; Port and Customs service tax 5 per cent.) 3 17 0 These duties are the ordinary ad valorem rates applying to all goods not subject to specific rates of duty ; there is no authorization for higher specific rates of duty on liquor, for the rate of duty is immaterial, having regard to the fact that all liquor is sold by and for the Administration at prices approximating current retail prices in New Zealand. F. In view of the position explained in E, there are no other duties, license fees, or taxes. G. There is no Native beverage containing alcohol. The Native ceremonial drink kava if allowed to stand does not ferment, and after a few hours becomes stale and unplatable. It is not consumed in sufficient strength or quantity to have toxic effects. H. General information with regard to liquor, in addition to the above, was given in the Eighth Report, 1928. During the year under review there were two offences reported under the Samoa Dangerous Drugs Order, 1930. A seaman brought ashore four five-tael tins of opium. He was arrested, charged both with importing and being in possession of opium, and fined £50.

| Quantities issued under ! Average Approxi- Quantity Medical Permits. mate Percentage imported, — j Countries of Origin. Alcohol by Weight.* 1937-38. 1936-37 1937-38 Spirituous liquors— Gallons. Gallons. Gallons. Whisky .. 38-5 to 51-0 820 684f 685f United Kingdom. Brandy .. .. 38-5 to 49-3 30 31J 30 France and Australia. Gin .. . . 40-6 340 223f 302 x 7 j7 United Kingdom and Holland. Alcoholic beverages— Port, sherry, and 12-0 to 17-8 110 125§ 147| Australia,Spain, and burgundy France. Vermouth .. 5-5 to 10-0 30 22 31 France and Italy. Stout .. .. 5-5 180 90J-J- 124J | United Kingdom and 1 Australia. * The approximate percentages of alcohol by weight given above are those accepted by the Customs Department in New Zealand. Analyses have been made of samples of all brands of ale imported, with results showing percentages of alcohol by weight ranging from 1-51 to only 2-39. The ales imported into Western Samoa, therefore, although subject to regulations under the Samoa Act, 1921, do not come within the definition of " intoxicating beverages " as accepted by the Permanent Mandates Commission (minutes of the tenth session, page 182), and have accordingly been omitted from the return.