A. —4.

I.—INTRODUCTORY. Western Samoa is comprised of two large islands, Upolu and Savai'i, and the islets of Apolima, Manono, Fanuatapu, Namua, Nu'ulua, and Nu'usafe'e. The geographical boundaries are latitudes 13_degrees~and 15 degrees south and longitudes 171 degrees and 173 degrees west. Upolu and Savai'i are each forty-seven miles long and separated by Apolima Strait, eight miles wide, in which is situated Apolima Islet; the remainder of the islets are found within or near the fringing reef surrounding Upolu. The islands of the group, which cover an area of 1,133 square miles, are mountainous in character, rising to elevations of 6,094 ft. in Savai'i and 3,608 ft. in Upolu. The large majority of Samoans live in coastal villages. The climate is mild and equable, the average temperature during the last thirty years being 79-29 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average rainfall for the same period 116-28 in. per annum. At the 31st March, 1941, the Native population was 58,466 and the non-Native population 3,821 : total, 62,287 persons. lI.—STATUS OF THE TERRITORY. The Territory is administered pursuant to a mandate conferred upon His Britannic Majesty, to be exercised on his behalf by the Government of the Dominion of New Zealand, and confirmed by the Council of the League of Nations on the 17th December, 1920. lII.—STATUS OF THE POPULATION. The Natives of Western Samoa are described in documents of travel as " British-protected persons, Natives of the Mandated Territory of Western Samoa." The provisions of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Act, 1928, allow individual inhabitants of the Territory voluntarily to obtain British naturalization. Since 1923, certificates of naturalization have been granted to fifteen Native Samoans and to twenty-two Europeans. The Samoan Status Ordinance 1934 provides for a person of European status of not less than half-Samoan blood being granted Samoan status by the High Court. Under the provisions of the Samoa Registration of Europeans Regulations 1920, a person of less than full Samoan blood may be granted the status of a European. IV.—INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. (a) International Conventions. A list of the general international conventions and bilateral agreements that have been applied to Samoa appeared in the report for .1938-39, pages 3 and 4, and further additions and deletions were listed in the 1939-40 report, page 2. In addition, His Majesty the King has ratified on behalf of the Government of New Zealand the convention amending the convention between the United Kingdom and the United States of America of 2nd March, 1899, concerning the disposal of real and personal property. (b) Economic Equality. Save as to the protection afforded to Native Samoans in the inalienability of Native land, there are no derogations from the principle of economic equality as regards concessions, land tenure, or direct or indirect taxation ; the question of mining rights does not apply. There is a preference in Customs ad valorem import duties of 7J- per cent, ili favour of British goods, but no restrictions as regards countries of origin of goods imported, export trade, or shipping. Under the Samoa Customs Order 1939, Amendment No. 1, surcharges were imposed on British and foreign imports of 15 per cent, and 25 per cent, respectively of the amounts of the duties. V.—GENERAL ADMINISTRATION. The executive government of Western Samoa is vested in His Majesty the King pursuant to a mandate confirmed by the League of Nations. The Administrator is charged with the administration of the Territory, subject to the control of the Minister of External Affairs for New Zealand. The laws of the Territory are made by Act of the New Zealand Parliament or regulations issued thereunder, or by Ordinance passed by the local Legislative Council, which as at present constituted consists of the Administrator, six official members, two unofficial members elected by the adult European community, and four Samoan members nominated by the Fono of Faipule. The following legislative measures have been enacted since the last report : — In New Zealand— The Samoa Native Regulations 1938, Amendment No. 1. The Dependency Medical Appointments Emergency Regulations 1940. The Samoa Customs Order 1939, Amendment No. 1. The Dependency Emergency Regulations (No. 2) 1939, Amendment No. 2. The Dependency Emergency Regulations (No. 2) 1939, Amendment No. 3. The Dependency Emergency Regulations (No. 2) 1939, Amendment No. 4. In Samoa — No. 1/1940: The High Court Fees and Costs Ordinance. • No. 1/1941 : The Revenue Amendment Ordinance.

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