A.—4,

(b) Economic Equality. Save as to the protection afforded to Native Samoans in the inalienability of Native land, and their exemption from personal tax, there are no derogations from the principle of economic equality as regards concessions, land-tenure, or direct or indirect taxation ; the question of mining rights does not apply. There is a preference in Customs import duties of per cent, in favour of British goods, but no restrictions as regards countries of origin of goods imported, export trade, or shipping. Immigration is governed by the Samoa Immigration Order, 1930, as amended in 1935. V.—GENEBAL ADMINISTRATION. The executive government of Western Samoa is vested in His Majesty the King pursuant to a mandate from the League of Nations. The Administrator is charged with the administration of the Territory, subject to the control of the Minister of External Affairs of New Zealand. The laws of the Territory are made by Act of the New Zealand Parliament, or regulations issued thereunder, or by Ordinances passed by the local Legislative Council, which consists of six official members, two unofficial members elected by the taxable male adult European community, and two nominated members representative of the Native race. Two sessions of the Legislative Council were held during the year. The following legislative measures have been brought into force since last report In New Zealand — The Samoa High Court Amendment Bules, 1934. The Samoa Immigration Amendment Order, 1935. The Samoa Treasury Begulations Amendment Order, 1935. The Samoa Land and Titles Bepeal and Savings Order, 1935. In Samoa — No. 1/1934. —The Samoan Status Ordinance. No. 2/1934,— The Native Land and Titles Protection Ordinance. No. 3/1934. —The Ordinances Amendment Ordinance. No. 4/1934. —The Boad Traffic Amendment Ordinance. No. 5/1934. —The Talimatau Boad Extension Closing Ordinance. No. 6/1934. —The Water Supply Ordinance. No. 7/1934. —The Old Vini fioads Closing Ordinance. Copies of all these measures have been furnished to the Permanent Mandates Commission. Upon the departure of Mr. 0. F. Nelson from Western Samoa on the Bth March, 1934, under sentence from the High Court, there was a marked decrease in Mau activities, and a complete change in the political situation. Since that event there has been no trouble or difficulty of any kind whatever, the Mau is moribund, the great bulk of the Samoans go about their daily occupations unconcerned with it, and practical administration is in no way affected. Present conditions and the extent of the improvement in this matter are indicated by the following table of convictions relating to the political agitation since 1927 : —

Native Affairs. Statutory recognition is given to the Faipule, Native representatives who meet in Fono and confer with the Administrator in an advisory capacity. For the purposes of this representation the Territory is divided into thirty-three districts, each district is invited by the Administrator to submit the name of a representative, and the person so elected is then confirmed in the appointment of Faipule for a term of three years, when further nominations are invited. The Administrator has the benefit, also, of the advice of two Native chiefs of the highest standing, the Honourable» Mahetoa Tanum'afili, 0.8.8., and Mata'afa, the present nominated Native members of the Legislative Council. The Fono of Faipules has always supported the Administration. All matters concerning the Samoan people are placed before it and practically no action as regards legislation or procedure is taken without its concurrence. _ _ • * • Native administration is effected through representatives of the Native Affairs Department m Apia and Tuasivi, four district officers, and through district and tillage Native officials. The European staff of the Department is considered sufficient to meet present requirements, but in view of the increasingly effective co-operation now existing proposals are under consideration for an increased number of graduate trainees for service in the Native Affairs Department.

3

1928. 1929-30. 1930-31. 1931-32. 1932-33. 1933-34. 1934-35. Maintenance of Authority in Native Affairs 400 100 269 51 8 4 Ordinance Intimidation Ordinance .. • • 402 .. 2 .. .. . ■ Seditious Organizations Regulations .. • • 322 42 1 .. 19 Totals 802 422 313 52 8 23* * These cases occurred after Mr. O. F. Nelson's return to Samoa.