A—4

South Pacific Commission The Administrator attended a Conference held at Canberra in January and February, 1947, to consider the establishment of a South Seas' Regional Commission. The Conference was convened by the Governments of Australia and of. New Zealand, and, in addition to these, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States were represented. The Conference prepared an agreement* establishing the South Pacific Commission, the functions of which are*, broadly speaking, to advise and assist the participating Governments on measures designed to promote the economic and social rights and welfare of the inhabitants of the territories within its scope. Price Control In the past year the Price Tribunal has issued 51 Price Orders covering 238 lines of goods, as compared with 36 Price Orders issued in the previous 'year covering 106 lines of goods. The monetary margin of profit allowed is limited to approximately the amount obtaining at the 3rd September, 1939, on the same or similar classes of goods. The prices fixed have been observed in general, only 7 prosecutions being taken during the year, and convictions obtained in 6 cases, Visits The Administrator made visits to various! parts of the Territory in both islands during the year. Mr. W. Parsonage, Officer for Islands Education, Wellington, visited the territory in June and again in September, 1946, when he met the Fano of Faipule for the purpose of explaining the scholarship system and education plans generally. The Deputy Administrator and the Secretary of Native Affairs visited New Zealand in July, 1946, in. order to discuss staff and other matters with the Right Hon. the Prime Minister and with the Public Service Commissioner. Dr. J. C. R. Buchanan, Inspector-General, South Pacific Health Service, visited "Western Samoa from the 20th September to the 4th October to survey and report generally on the medical services in the Territory. Dr. C. A. Taylor, head of the Tuberculosis Section of the Health Department, New Zealand, accompanied Dr. Buchanan on his visit, and submitted a report on the incidence of tuberculosis. Further mention is made of these two visits under the Medical and Public Health Section of thisi report. Mr. R. G. Dick, Surveyor-General for New Zealand, also visited the Territory in September, 1946,. to report on the Lands and Survey Department and to submit plans for future development. Mr. H. Vickerman, Consulting Engineer, spent a, week in the Territory from the 17th to 24th October investigating the prospects of an improved electric power supply for the town of Apia and environs. Official visits were exchanged between Eastern and Western Samoa during the year, Captain 11. A. Houser, U.S.N. Governor of American Samoa, and his party, visiting Western Samoa from the 24th to the 27th September, and the Administrator and his party visiting Tutuila from 7th to the 10th November.

* Printed as parliamentary paper A.-5, 1947.

5