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technical experts, considerable experimentation over a period of years, and the mapping-out and initiation of new fields of endeavour. A major part of such activity will lie along agricultural lines. Samoa can be greatly helped by pushing the work of plant-breeding and animal husbandry for the improvement of local strains, pest-control, and experimentation in new varieties or new products. Improvement of both subsistence and commercial crops and of agricultural methods can be gained through experimental work and the spread of agricultural knowledge. A serious agricultural problem to-day is how to initiate adequate replanting of Samoa's coconut-trees, most of which are approaching the decline of their bearing-life (see Annex I, Chapter 111, paragraph 11). Statistics show a steady falling off in the production of copra for export per capita ; though the population has about doubled since 1921, the total production has remained much the same. 32. In order to make possible and ensure the vigorous prosecution of further agricultural development it would seem highly advantageous to set up an efficient Department of Agriculture with properly trained personnel. Only through Government resources and Government backing can the necessary expert personnel, the continuity of work, the driving motive of service to the public and the requisite funds be secured. Western Samba is an agricultural country with an agricultural economy; and while participation of the Reparation Estates in this programme should be welcomed, the work should be recognized as a distinct and important responsibility of the Government itself. The Department might be assisted by an Agricultural Board, the members of which should include European planters and also Samoans. 33. Fisheries, forestry, and Samoan handicraft activities also offer interesting possibilities for supplementing local incomes. These fields deserve exploration ; and this also should be the responsibility of the new Government. 34. Several important problems currently exist which have bearing upon economic welfare under the developing system of self-government. A serious pressure of population upon the available land is developing along the central and west sections of North Upolu. This is by far the most densely populated part of the Territory, with Samoan villages extending almost continuously along the coast. Yet a large part of the land has been in the past alienated by the Samoan communities and is owned by the Crown, or by private European interests, including the missions. Careful long-range planning is needed here, including the possibilities of reacquiring usable non-Samoan lands for the needy Samoan community and of resettlement in unused areas. Such plans will require corresponding road development, as much of the available land is at present in inaccessible areas. Looking several decades ahead, this problem will also have to be faced in some of the outer districts.