A.—4a

17

" go-slow " policy. Tho institution of standard tasks, which were adopted, wherever possible, in order to combat this policy, at first met with opposition, but with the realization that the tasks set were in no cases excessive the opposition ceased, and one constant source of friction was to a great extent removed. The high cost of luxuries, and of tobacco in particular, com pared with prices current in China, is also an ever-present source of complaint. The new labourers, coming almost entirely from the lloungshan and Satining districts of Kwangtung Province, are of a good type. The percentage of undesirables is very low. Relations between employers and Labourers are generally good, and suggestions made from time to time by this Department in the interests of workmen, individually and collectively, have been,well received.

Return of Labourers reporting to the Chinese Department during the Year ended 31st March, 1922.

POLICE AND PRISONS. Strength of Force.— On the 31st March last the strength of the Force was thirty-seven of all ranks, being the same strength as at the 31st March, 1921. The total is made up as follows : European p 0 li ce ___Commissioner (Police and Prisons), Inspector, Sub-inspector, Sergeant, and two constables ; total 6. Native Police—Senior Sergeant, 1 ; sergeants, 3 ; corporals, 4 ; constables, 23 : total, 31. Proportion of police to population, 1 to 1001-9. The European police during the year have been reduced from, ten to six, and the Native police increased from twenty-seven to thirty-one. Police Headquarters. The police are now quartered in offices adjoining each other. This has effected co-ordination, increased efficiency, and is satisfactory. The police are concentrated in Apia, as there are no populous centres outside Apia to justify the expense, of erecting police quarters and maintaining police establishments. The Resident Commissioners stationed at Aleipata and Savaii have, a number of auxiliary Native police under their command to assist in enforcing and administering the laws. The European police handle all serious crime. Criminal Statistics. -The table appended deals with all offences reported during the year ended 31st December, 1921, and shows an aggregate net increase of 211 on the figures of 1920. The proportion of offences to the population was L 52 per cent., as against 1-45 per cent, the previous year. Percentage of detected offences, 1920, was 93-7, and last year was 95. The principal increases during the year appear under the following headings : Indecent assaults. I : conspiring to assault, 3 ; Failing to register arms, 4 ; unlawful possession of arms, 3 ; breaches of peace, 31 ; carnally knowing girls under twelve years, 2 ; cruelty to animals, 5 ; breaches of Chinese labour Ordinances,'4B; cattle wandering, 20; 'breaches of Distillation Act, 6; possession of distillation stills, 3 ; driving without lights, 8 ; forgery, 3 ; fraud, 5 ; house and shop breaking, 17 ; indentured coolies entering Samoan houses, 7 ; liquor-smuggling, 6 ; attempted murder, 8 ; conspiring to commit murder, 1 ; manslaughter, 2 ; unlawful possession of opium, 18 ; prohibited immigrants landing, 9 ; attempted rape, 5 ; receiving stolen property, 7 ; theft from dwellings, 5 ; wounding with intent, 10 ; theft (undescribod), 34. The principal decreases were : Assaults (common), 12 ; burglary, 4 ; drunkenness, 7 ; gaming offences, 4 ; opium-smoking, 10 ; Samoans consuming liquor, 19 ; supplying liquor to Samoans, I. Of the serious crimes, the eight cases of attempted murder arose out of an attack made by Chinese on a Chinese, interpreter, because of his activities against Chinese law-breakers. Illicit distillation (nine offences) : total prohibition is responsible for this class of offence. There is a demand for liquor, which inspires some to supply that demand by smuggling in liquor anil by illicit manufacture. Both are being kept well in hand by the police. , , The large increase of offences, 211, is accounted for to some extent by the activity ot the police in enforcing local Ordinances. The offences will continue to fluctuate from period to period, as is the case, in New Zealand and other countries, and as new Ordinances are passed and brought into force offences are likely to increase. None of the minor offences require, comment. No breaches ot by-laws or breaches ot such regulations are included in New Zealand offences returns : all arc included here. Liquor Prohibition. Total prohibition came into force in May, 1920. Prior to that date liquor was obtainable under license, and prior to 1911 the German planters distilled spirits from tropical

3—A. 4a.

Reasorrs. cu ______ I I rO >t ch _ 3 _5 <_ I 22 42 28 32 4 27 3| I io! 58 2i 2 17! 15 1 .. 5 15 69 ■4 w Ci O o Yh % a fl 1-5 i Total. I Medical examination Complaints by employers Complaints by labourers. . Summoned by police Summoned by Chinese Commissioner Released from arrest Discharged from hospital Private complaints Seeking new employers Signed now contract Left plantation without permit Sundry reasons.. L6 53' 20 1 I 21 34 8 33 12 12 40 43 22 1 14 2 44 2 12 93 10 11 39 7 125 29; 67 29 62 69 41 II 6 5 1 5 1 •• 65J 72 7 .. .. 106 2 13 31 229 392 54, 55 21 2 45 3 81 17 60 3 1 37 86 17 378 5*0 285 32 157 36 457 101 271 287 19 256 4 5 I 3 2 2 15 I I 2 1 61 22 11 16 60 19 35 6 16 16 17 10 10 19 11 3 8 II 6 94 ! 21 19 17 44 22' 8 27 9 27 8 Totals 184 108 95 121 268 317 193 257 368 317 2,849