A.—4.

XI.—POLICE AND PRISONS. The total European strength (including one clerk) as at 31st March, 1939, was nine. The uniformed Native strength as at 31st March, 1939, was thirty-eight, exclusive of one Native clerk and ten messengers also under the control of the Inspector of Police. The police post at Tuasivi, Savai'i, under the control of the Resident Commissioner, is the only outpost in the Territory. Prisons. There were 72 prisoners in custody on Ist April, 1938. During the year 141 prisoners were admitted and 153 discharged, leaving a total of 60 in custody on 31st March, 1939. General. Warrants held for execution on the Ist April, 1938, were : For arrest, 1 ; for commitment, 9. On 31st March, 1939, the figures were : Arrest, nil; for commitment, 5. XII.—DEFENCE OF THE TERRITORY. Provision for the establishment of a Volunteer Force in Western Samoa was made by Order in Council (Samoa Local Defence Force Regulations 1939) which empowered the Administrator at his discretion to raise and maintain an armed Force to be used for the purposes of internal police and local defence. This force is now established. XIII.—ARMS AND AMMUNITION. Transactions in firearms and ammunition are controlled under the provisions of the Arms Ordinance 1921. Importations during 1938-39 were as follows : — Arms — Shotguns, 52. Rifles, 10. Revolvers, nil. Ammunition — Shot cartridges, 118,500. Rifle cartridges (-22 calibre), 15,700. Rifle cartridges (7 m/m calibre), 1,000. The above importations were by private firms and do not include military arms and ammunition imported by the Administration for use in the training of police and for the Samoa Local Defence Force. The following table gives the total of licensed firearms in the Territory as at 31st March, 1939 :—

XIV.—SOCIAL CONDITION OF THE NATIVES. Material security, which is the objective problem of more productively organized civilizations, is relatively no problem among the bulk of the Samoan population. The satisfaction and pleasure derived from achievement must therefore come from other fields of endeavour in Samoa largely by participation and recognition in the observances of social life. Greater interest might be given to this chapter by quoting the observations of one who is a Polynesian himselff 1 ), and who thus evaluates Samoan life : — " The Samoan population lives in large well-organized villages. Except for the doing away with some of the highest ranks, corresponding to that of petty kings and provocative of war in grasping at power, the introduction of a foreign culture has made little fundamental difference to the basis of Samoan society. The hereditary titles of high chiefs and talking chiefs are still conferred and supported by the family groups entitled to them. These are not inherited by primogeniture on the male line, but are conferred by the group majority and hence lead to much political intrigue. The village Fa'alwpega (order of rank prestige) is still jealously observed. Ancient customs connected with the drinking of kava, the distribution of food, the giving of fine mats, and much social ceremonial are still living factors in the life of the people and give pleasure and satisfaction. The pleasure derived from the exercise of Native institutions is perhaps the most important factor that has led to the persistence of Samoan customs and helped them to resist the disintegration that has taken place in other parts of Polynesia. The Sanioans are thus more conservative than other branches of their race, and their satisfaction with themselves and their own institutions makes them less inclined to accept the changes that foreign Governments consider would be of benefit to them. Their viewpoint is bounded by their own immediate horizon. . . . The Samoans are self-contained."

(!) Dr. P. H. Buck (Te Rangi Hiroa) in "Samoan Material Culture," a Bulletin of the Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu.

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European. Samoan. Total. Revolvers .. .. .. 10 .. 10 Rifles .. .. .. 52 .. 52 Shotguns .. .. .. 193 592 785 255 592 847