A—4.

FONO OF FAIPULE. New Laws Concerning Samoans made in 1927. 1. Native Market Law. The new market building in Apia was built not by the Government, but by private enterprise. All Samoan foodstuffs formerly sold on the beach must now be sold in this market, except on holidays, when foodstuffs can- be sold at places authorized by the police. Persons who sell in the market must get a license. All food sold in the market must be good ; bad food or fish may be destroyed by an Inspector. No one must misbehave themselves in the market. Any one offending against laws may be fined twenty-five pounds. 2. Melanesian Labourers Law. These labourers to be paid at the same rates as the Chinese. No one to employ a Melanesian labourer except the Government. 3. Maintenance of Native Authority Law. Any one who spreads false reports, makes any statement, writes any article intending to undermine the Samoan Government, Faipules, chiefs, or Samoan officials, or other Native authorities, is liable to punishment in prison for twelve months or one hundred pounds fine. 4. Impounding of Cattle Law. Horses and cattle that stray on the roads or other people's property may be impounded. There is a pound in Apia, and one at Fagamalo. If other districts wish to have a pound, the District Committee will make a request for one to be established in their district. Address to the Administrator, delivered by Ama F.P., Chairman of the Fono of Faipule, dated 11th February, 1928. [Note. —This Fono considered the political situation only, and did not deal with details of administration. ] Your Excellency,— We are very grateful to Your Excellency that we are able to assemble together and discuss useful subjects and means that may be effective in the attempt to remove the obstacles to Samoa's advance. There need be not the slightest doubt in Your Excellency's mind, or the New Zealand Government and the nations of the world, as to the cause of the disturbance and the many adverse influences which have been instructed to upset the many good and notable works already done ; also the delay of works which were proposed for this year and the future years. We express our deep gratitude to Your Excellency for your love to our country, and the great number of good things we now observe that New Zealand has done for the prosperity of Samoa at Your Excellency's instigation. We clearly understand Your Excellency's explanation regarding the resolutions of our last Fono which have come before this present Fono. A great many of these decisions could not be carried out because of the trouble caused by the Mau. This has become like a wall to hedge about Samoa and hinder its progress and prosperity that have been noted through Your Excellency's diligence and earnest love for our insignificant country. We truly believe in your love and your patience, which are a great example to us. We cannot cease our thanks to the New Zealand Government because of her help and her love, and also patience in continuing her financial aid so that many works can be constructed for the benefit of Samoa. Your Excellency has mentioned in your address the difference you observe between Samoa and other countries, in that Samoa has such a great number of chiefs. The custom of our people of Samoa is to be polite and respectful, and we are certain that it is Your Excellency's will that such should be continued, and that our good characteristics and customs should be preserved. Put it is like the case of the husbandman and his field. He sowed good seed in his land, but by and by what appeared was not only the good seed he had sowed but also the bad. The husbandman, when he saw this, said, "An enemy has done this." In the great number of events that are happening at present a new characteristic is seen not in accordance with Samoan usages, in years gone by. That was the real meaning of the desire put before Sir Francis Pell when the Faipule went to New Zealand—that the Minister would, in his kindness, not permit a number of lawyers to come to Samoa until some future date when the youth of Samoa would be sufficiently educated to understand something of the law. This is the real cause of Your Excellency's difficulty in the loving and earnest attempt you are making for this country. For there is a ceaseless sowing of the seeds of deceiving Samoa by Europeans, because they know this country is fruitful soil and evil quickly springs up and spreads, and that the time has not arrived when Samoa's wisdom is adequate. We accept without a doubt New Zealand's clean and righteous Government, and this established system for the control of Samoa we feel should be continued. Village Committees discuss and rule their own affairs; District Councils discuss and control matters for the benefit of their districts; the Fono of Faipule discuss and control matters for the country under the Chairmanship of His Excellency the Administrator. There is free discussion and expression of our opinion in all subjects, and we as Faipules do not hesitate to state freely what we believe to be true.

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