A—4

and his profound knowledge of the local people and their ways had done much to ensure the smooth working of the Force and the maintenance of law and order.

Prisoners in Custody

XII. LABOUE Employment for wages is not a natural form of Samoan life, and figures taken out at the 1945 census showed only 3 per cent, of the Samoan population in employment. They are not held to contracts, but work as and when they wish. There are 290 Chinese labourers remaining in Samoa, of whom 38 are restricted free settlers, and of the remaining number 226 are in active employment. These are employed largely on private cocoa plantations and on New Zealand Reparation Estates rubber plantations. When shipping is available those men, numbering some 126, who have expressed a wish to return to China will be repatriated in accordance with the terms of their contract. The only other labourers subject to definite terms of employment are 63 Melanesians introduced by a German trading company prior to 1914, and 22 Niueans. XIII. FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE All Samoans profess Christianity, and religious observances are prominent in Samoan life. Article IX of the Trusteeship Agreement is fully observed; there is complete freedom of conscience. Relations between the missions and the Administration have always been harmonious and marked by a full spirit of co-operation. XIV. EDUCATION The policy for 1946-47 has been towards creating greater efficiency in the primary schools. Methods adopted have been—(l) Increasing the number of school hours and days during the week. (2) Increasing the range of classes in (a;) The primary schools. (&.) The middle schools. (3) A gradual adjustment of ages and classification to conform to normal standards. (4) Raising the standard of entrance to the Teachers' Training School. (5) Discontinuance of the policy of appointment of untrained teachers. (6) Appointment of — (01) Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools. (&) Supervisor of Infant Method. (7) Revision of salary scale to provide increased remuneration for Native teachers, (8) Continuation of scholarship scheme. (9) Sending of (Selected Native inspectors and teachers to New Zealand for short observation courses. (10) Visual education through film-projectors.

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— 1946. 1947. Total at beginning of year Admissions Discharges Total at end of year 80 179 148 111 Ill 172 176 107