32

A.—4a

In the event of the outbreak of any infectious disease in Western Samoa, the Medical Officer of Health, on the authority in writing of the Administrator, may exercise any or all of the wide powers conferred on him by sections 19 and 20 of the Samoa Health Ordinance, 1921. Under the Samoa Quarantine Order, 1920, ample powers are given for dealing with shipping from overseas, both as to infectious diseases and any other disease, the introduction of which into Samoa might constitute a danger to the public health. Weekly reports as to health conditions in New Zealand are. received by radiogram, and the fortnightly health bulletins received in New Zealand from the High Commissioner in London are also forwarded. At present special precautions regarding passengers and cargoes from Australia are taken, owing to the presence on that country of bubonic, plague. These precautions are — In Sydney — (a.) Fumigation of ship before cargo loaded. (b.) Cargo loaded under inspection by an officer of the Federal Quarantine Service. (c.) Medical inspection before sailing. Tn Apia— (a.) Passengers and crew examined for any evidence of plague. (b.) All cargo landed under supervision, any suspicious package being opened and examined before being landed. (c.) Rejection of goods packed in such a manner as to afford harbourage for rats. Flour and other foodstuffs in. sacks are exempted from this restriction. (d.) Cargo worked only between hours of sunrise and sunset. (Note. —There is no deepwater wharf in Apia, and therefore all cargo is lightered.) 2. What provisions are made for medical assistance ? A General Hospital is situated at Apia with facilities for treatment, of Europeans, Samoans, and Chinese. The staff includes five medical officers (including the. Chief Medical Officer in charge of the Clinical Division of the Health Department) and nine European nurses, four Native cadets (male), and nine Native, nurses (female) are under instruction. An out-station is established at Tuasivi, in the Island of Savaii, with a staff of one medical officer and two Native nurses. It is proposed to establish other out-stations. Medical expeditions occasionally journey round the islands, treating sick in the villages visited. Fees of moderate amount are. charged for medical services and medicines. 3. What is the actual situation as regards prostitution, and what steps are being taken in this mutter ? Prostitution is confined to the amateur. The keeping of brothels is forbidden (Samoa Act, 1921, section 139). X. LAND-TENURE. 1. What system of land-tenure and forest law exists ? How are, they legally recognized ? What, lands are considered as belonging to the State, and what are regraded as communally owned ? All the land is either — (a.) Crown land, being the land of the, former German Government and land expropriated from Germans ; (o.) European land, being all the other land of which tho title is individualized (this is held as by grant from Crown) ; or (c.) Native land, being the land held by Samoans under the usages of the race (these lands are vested in the Crown in trust for the Samoans). (See Part IX of the Samoa Act, 1921.) 2. What, measures are being adopted for the registration of landed properly ? The titles to Crown and European land are registered under an efficient system by the Government. The titles to Native land are, when in dispute, adjudicated on by a Commission whose proceedings are of record. (See Samoa Land Registration Order, 1920.) 3. What, are the regulations for the alienation of land in which Natives or Native communities exercise rights by virtue of heredity or use ? Alienation of Native land by sale, lease, or mortgage, other than alienations in favour of the Crown, are prohibited. Leases up to forty years may be granted if in the interests of the Natives. (See Part IX, Samoa Act, 1921, section 280.) 4. What other measures are, being taken to protect the rights and interests of Natives and Native communities in respect, lo land (usury, forced sale, &c.) ? Usurious contracts with Natives are unenforceable (see, section 366, Samoa Act, 1921). Native land is not capable.of being taken in execution, nor is it assets for payment of debts of the owner on his decease or insolvency (see section 280, Samoa Act, 1921). No security over property of a Samoan is enforceable without the leave of the High Court (see section 367, Samoa Act, 1.921).