A—3

laws and statute law together regulate the code of living of the Niuean. There is no system of chiefs as in other Polynesian groups, nor is there a ruling class or servant class of people. Whilst authority is vested in the heads of families, called " patu," in general the Niuean is essentially an individualist. B. Labour and Employment The only substantial employer of labour is the Administration, which employs Niueans in the Education, Police, Public Works, Transport, and other Departments, and to load or discharge vessels making calls. Apart from this, labour is from time to time engaged by local firms to prepare copra for shipment. During the last three years the Administration has employed a large number of unskilled labourers on public works. The basic wage-rates are 7s. per day for unskilled labour, 9s. per day for waterside work, and a varying scale for higher classes of labour, with provision for overtime and Sunday work when required. Provision for the registration of an industrial workers' union and an employers' union and the machinery for settling labour disputes is contained in the Cook Islands Industrial Regulations 1947. No such organizations have been formed and there have been no labour disputes over the last six years. Only a small proportion of the population is dependent entirely on wages. The bulk of the population is engaged in the cultivation of its lands and the harvesting of crops for local consumption and export. The price of produce purchased by the . trading firms for export is regulated by the Administration to ensure that growers receive full value at current prices. No migratory labour is employed on the island. Some eight Niueans are employed by the New Zealand Government on an annual contract basis at Raoul Island. Some fifteen Niueans are at present working for the New Zealand Reparation Estates in Western Samoa. All contracting arrangements for such labour are made through the Administration. High wages and easier living conditions attract a number of Niueans to New Zealand each year, but, in view of the infrequent shipping calls, the volume of departures is not great and presents no problem to the Administration. C. Public Health and Sanitation Niue, although situated in the tropics, is largely free from diseases prevalent in tropical countries. However, certain other infections, notably tuberculosis, have become established which, together with periodic epidemics, have provided the main health problems. The health of the people during the past twelve months has been good. There were no serious epidemics. The endemic disease of filariasis remains prevalent among the people, but yaws continues to decrease. Pulmonary tuberculosis has increased and gonorrhoea again became prevalent. The principal difficulty in combating disease on Niue arises from the isolation of the island and the consequent lack of contact with more developed areas of the Pacific. This engenders an unfamiliarity with modern methods of hygiene and public health, and a lack of understanding of the benefits of up-to-date techniques, attitudes which can only be overcome slowly by continual demonstration and explanation. The Administration, through the Medical, Education, and Police Departments, gives as much health education to the people as possible. Constant and strict surveillance of villages and enforcement of health and sanitation regulations serve to bring home to the Niuean the part he must play in overcoming one of the most serious problems of the island. There are no running streams or surface water on Niue and rain-water for household and drinking purposes is stored in concrete tanks and reservoirs. The Administration assists the people in the erection of the water catchments and tanks.

34