A.—4a

28

3. Is there any system oj 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 ? Chinese labour is imported by the Administration on contract. Copy of contract (Appendix A) is attached. This contract is individually explained to each coolie by a responsible official of the Hong Kong Government. ' The material well-being of the Samoan Natives is not affected, except beneficially, through the maintenance of trade and revenue by means of this labour. Further, without this labour the cultivated plantations would soon be devastated by the rhinoceros-beetle and become breeding-grounds for this pest, and so a real menace to the existence of all native plantations. The moral well-being of the Samoan Natives is not, affected except that largelyowing to the cessation of regular repatriation during the war, in a small number of cases Chinese labourers have, taken unmarried Samoan wives. The number of issue is small. An Ordinance is now in force prohibiting Chinese entry to Samoan houses. 4. What compulsory and disciplinary measures arc authorized with respect lo Native labour . None. . 5 What powers has the Administration for controlling labour contracts in order to ensure theirhya fulfilment both on the part of employer and employed, and what powers does it possess to prevent any abuses in this respect'! None, so far as Samoans are concerned. As to Chinese, see Ordinances already forwarded. 111. ARMS TRAFFIC. ] What measures are being adopted to control the traffic in arms and, ammunition ? The Arms Ordinance, 192.1, prohibits importation or sale of guns or ammunition except under license. No person can purchase without license. All holders of guns must be licensed. 2. What are the statistics relating lo imports of arms and ammunition of dgerent clones? Firearms imported during period Ist, April, 1921, to 3 st March, 1922: lilies, 4 (-303 calibre, 1 ; -44 calibre Winchester, 1 ; -22 calibre B.S.A. 2) ; guns smooth bore), 12 gauge, 4; revolvers, -45 calibre Webley, 1; pistols (for police), -45 calibre Colt, \2: Ammunition imported, same period: Shot, cartridges, -410, 1,250; ball cartridges (for police purposes), -45, 1,000. IV. TRADE AND MANUFACTURE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS. 1 What steps are being taken lo assure the, prohibition of abases of the liquor Irctffic . Importation and manufacture of liquor containing more than 3 per cent, proo 9 pirit are absolutely prohibited by the Samoa Act, 1921 sections 3,56 to oil, except importation by the' Administrator for medical, sacramental, or industrial purposes. Such importation, and the disposal of the liquor so imported, is controlled by the Samoa Sale of Intoxicating Liquor Regulations, 1920, and the Board of Health Regulation No. 1 (Sale of Intoxicating Liquors). 2 How is the campaign against alcoholism mganized . - , All liquor on board ship must be declared in writing on arrival, and is placed at once under Customs seal, which seal must be unbroken when the ship sails. Occasionally a search of a vessel is made. A watch is maintained over every overseas vessel while m harbour, and also on all craft communicating with her _ _ Inland the police visit all districts as often as possible, and all suspicious circumstances and all items of information, are followed up by the police and Customs acting in concert. 3. What are the, effects of these measures (statistics relative to the, import and lo the local manufacture of alcoholic g^. fo^j n cases were taken t0 Court; aIJ leading t o convictions Four were for smuggling, including one for making a false declaration and concealing the liquor till a search of the steamer disclosed it; five were for illegal consumption ot liquor by Samoan. , four for distilling liquor from cocoa-beans and mummy-apples ; and one tor brewing hop-beer over 3 per cent, of proof spirit. The general elect is that smuggling is kept within a very small compass only the high price offered (£3 and upwards per bottle) tempting a few people to attempt to evade the watchmen, The local manufacture is confined to an odd coolie concealing in the forest r crude apparatus in which he distils a small quantity of cocoa-bean or mummy-apple trice A coolie caught red-handed was imprisoned tor twelve months, but the mere destruction of the plant was no deterrent, as it can easily be replaced. _ Imports during the year ended 31st March, 1922: lor medicinal purposes--Whisky, 50 gallons; brandy, 33 gallons; port wine, 16 gallons. For sacramental purposes--Altai wine, 250 gallons.