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Survey Department, and to be subject to approval by the Government under such principles as might be worked out with Samoan leaders and enacted by the Legislature. E. PUBLIC WORKS AND COMMUNICATIONS 38. The development of modern means of communication and transportation can be a potent factor in generating a sense of national unity and thus in stimulating self-government. Many complaints were received by the Mission on the failure of the Administration to build roads, particularly among outlying, isolated villages. One district spoke of loss of life as the result of the delays and hazards of transporting patients to the Apia hospitals and the inability to obtain prompt delivery of medical serums. The current plan for building about 145 miles of roads in Upolu and Savai'i thus giving access to almost every existing community, should go far to meet the problems of physical transport. Work is already in progress. The projected installation of radio sets in villages could well be supplemented by other efforts to bring the people more fully into touch with one another and with the outside world. 39. The present abnormally high revenues due to high world market prices for Samoan products is enabling the Administration to devote large sums to long-range development projects in the field of public works such as might not be financially possible under normal conditions of public revenue. The action of the New Zealand Government in granting a large subsidy for roads was noted appreciatively. New hydro-electric construction is at present under way, which will quadruple the capacity of the Apia plant and make possible the supply of electric light and power to adjacent Samoan villages. F. THE NEW ZEALAND REPARATION ESTATES 40. The New Zealand Reparation Estates, taken over by New Zealand from former German owners as war reparations after the First World War, play a vital role in the economic and financial structure of Western Samoa. Although they are under a system of New Zealand management quite separate from the present Administration, they contribute an important source of public revenue to the Administration. The properties are partly under direct Estates management and partly leased to European and Samoan holders. 41. Although the Reparation Estates were not mentioned in the petition, the " restitution" of these lands to the Government of Western Samoa was requested in the plan offered by the Samoan representatives, and this request was pressed several times during the Mission's meetings with Samoan leaders. The Samoans consider that

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