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In April, 1928, a force of seventy-four military Police was brought to Samoa, and has effectively coped with all serious unrest. It is now proposed to reduce the number to forty-five, and to place the force on a civil basis. The behaviour of the police has been excellent, and they have been particularly careful to avoid any provocative action. On two occasions only has any serious difficulty occurred, the first being in May, 1928, when Leota, a prominent chief in the Mau, was arrested on a criminal charge by a party of Military and. Civil Police, who were strongly resisted by some two hundred Samoans, the result being that numerous minor injuries were sustained by the rioters. The second occasion was the arrest (for non-payment of taxes) of Tamasese, another prominent chief, in November, 1928, which was also effected without any serious casualty. From time to time it has appeared as if the present trouble was abating, but it still persists although it is now more under control. The six original Native members of the Citizens Committee were invited to meet the Administrator on the 18th August, 1928, to hear the Report of the Permanent Mandates Commission relative to Western Samoa which was adopted at the Commission's Thirteenth Session. Three only accepted the invitation, and of these three two have since abandoned the Mau. In addition, the report was published in full in the Samoan language in the Savali (the Native Gazette), and was also published in the two local newspapers. Every effort has been made by the Administrator to meet the leaders of the Mau and to discuss their grievances, but without success. On the 9th October, 1928, he induced Tamasese and Tuimalealiifano, the two principal Native leaders of the Mau, to meet him, when they assured him that the Mau had now two grievances only : the first that the report of the Mandates Commission was not conveyed to them by a document signed and sealed by the various countries comprising the League of Nations or their representatives ; and the second that Mr. Nelson, whom they considered their representative, had not reported to them. The attitude of the Mau has changed during the year from one of ostentation and aggression to a more subdued form, but the same difficulty in dealing with it persists. To effect arrests on any charge is rendered difficult by the offender either running away to the bush or being concealed by his friends ; and though the criminal law has been fairly well enforced, there are still a number of offenders at large. The collection of taxes by civil process has been impossible to deal with in any large number, and more prominent individuals only have been singled out for attention. Though the position is, of course, by no means satisfactory, it is, on the other hand, easy to exaggerate the difficulties of the present situation. Except for the collection of Native taxes the Administration may be said to be functioning with reasonable efficiency ; the country, with negligible exceptions, is quiet and orderly ; and the trading figures for the year clearly indicate that the Mau movement has had no seriously detrimental effect upon the material prosperity of the Natives or upon the country as a whole. No Fono of Faipules has been held, except to welcome the new Administrator on his arrival in May, 1928, but on several occasions fonos of officials have been held in both islands to discuss matters of policy in Native affairs. It is now proposed to suspend the Faipules for the time ; the Faamasinos are also to be suspended, as they have been performing no duty recently, except in a few cases. European District Officers are now being appointed to perform the duties of the District Councils and the Faipules in the various districts ; and it is hoped that this change in system will lead on the one hand to a stronger control of the Native population, and on the other to a closer touch between the Administrator and the individual Native. V. CHINESE LABOUR. There were 965 Chinese and 147 Melanesian labourers on the 31st March, 1929, compared with 935 and 146 respectively a year previously. VI. ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS. The Administrator desires to record liis appreciation of the loyal support received by him from the Secretary to the Administration, the Secretary for Native Affairs, and the staff of all departments. VII. LEGISLATION. The following laws were enacted during the year In New Zealand — Finance Act, 1928 (sections 6, 7, and 8). British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Act, 1928 (sections 1-8). Regulations constituting and establishing the Samoa Military Police, 1928. Port and Customs Service Tax Regulations, 1928. Rules of the High Court of Western Samoa Consolidation Amendment, 1928. Samoa Native Titles Protection Order, 1928. Samoa Immigration Amendment Order, 1928. The Native Regulations (Samoa) Amendment Order, 1929. In Samoa — No. 2/1928. —The Water and Water-power Conservation Ordinance. No. 3/1928. —The Registration of Live-stock Brands Ordinance. No. 4/1928. —The Port and Customs Service Tax Ordinance. (Replaced by Order in Council.) No. 5/1928. —The Petroleum Ordinance. No. 6/1928. —The Ordinances Revision Ordinance. No. 7/1928. —The Native Personal Tax Amendment Ordinance. No. 1/1929. —The Taxation, Licensing, and Revenue Amendment Ordinance. No. 2/1929. —The Road Traffic Amendment Ordinance.
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