A.—4.

The following bi-lateral agreements have been extended to the Territory Legal Proceedings in Civil and Commercial Matters : — 2nd February, 1922, London, between United Kingdom and France. 20th March, 1928, London, between United Kingdom and Germany. Extradition Treaties — _ . Between United Kingdom and the following States : Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, Iraq, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Monaco, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Roumania, San Marino, San Salvador, Siam, Spain, Switzerland, and Yugoslavia. Supplementary Extradition Convention between the United Kingdom and Austria. Agreements for the Abolition of Visas — Between United Kingdom and the following States: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Lichtenstein, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Convention between the United Kingdom and the United States of America relative to the Disposal of Real and Personal Property, signed on the 2nd March, 1899. Trade Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the Dominion of New Zealand, signed at Canberra on the sth September, 1933 (in part). (6) Economic Equality. Save as to the protection afforded to Native Samoans in the inalienability of Native land, 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 ad valorem import duties of 7| 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 m 1935 and 1938. V.—GENERAL ADMINISTRATION. The executive government of Western Samoa is vested in His Majesty the King pursuant to a mandate- confirmed by the League of Nations. The Administrator is charged with the administration of the Territory, subject to the control of the Minister of External Affairs for New Zealand. The laws of the Territory are made by Act of the New Zealand Parliament or regulations issued thereunder, or by Ordinance passed by the local Legislative Council, which as at present constituted consists of the Administrator, six official members, two unofficial members elected by the adult European community, and four nominated Samoan members. The following legislative measures have been enacted since the last report: — In New Zealand —- The Samoa Amendment Act, 1938. The Samoa General Laws Amendment Order 1938. The Samoa Native Regulations 1938. The Samoa Legislative Council (Elective Membership) Order 1938. The Samoa High Court Amendment Rules 1938. The Samoa Immigration Amendment Order 1938. The Samoa Local Defence Force Regulations 1939. In Samoa — No. 1/1938 : The Samoa General Laws Amendment Ordinance 1938. Copies of all these measures have been furnished to the Permanent Mandates Commission. The Deputy Administrator, Mr. A. C. Turnbull, continued in the capacity of Acting Administrator during the yeax. It is pleasing to report that Government functioned satisfactorily throughout the year, relations between the Administration and the Samoans, as well as other sections of the community, being ol an harmonious and co-operative nature. _ . The Administrator again acknowledges with appreciation the interest displayed m community affairs by the Chamber of Commerce, the Planters' Association, the United Progressive Party, and the Local Born Labour Party, all of which bodies have from time to time made representations affecting either their particular interests or the common welfare. The relations between the Administration and the Missions continue to be of a wholly harmonious and mutually satisfactory character. Certain repeals were enacted under the Samoa Amendment Act, 1938. Provision was also made under this Act for election and appointment of Faipule to be specifically prescribed by Ordinance. Certain machinery amendments to assist administration were also made. The Legislative Council met in June, when its principal business was the repeal of such ol the dormant legislation referred to under the " Native Affairs " section of last year s report as had been comprised .in Ordinances. The Council met also in August to discuss the estimates for the financial vear prior to their submission to the Hon. Minister of External Affairs, and again in January, when discussion was commenced on a Bill proposing a concrete-building area for Apia. The Finance Committee, referred to in the 1937 report, is functioning ; in this year it met m July to consider estimates before they were referred to the Legislative Council, and again in February to receive a "report on the financial results to 31st December.

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