68

24. To date the elaborate traditional Samoan system of District and Village Councils and leaders has not been integrated directly with this administrative organization, though it comes into play indirectly in the nomination of the officials, formulation of Samoan opinion on official activities, and the maintenance of public order in terms of traditional Samoan usage. In 1925 the New Zealand Government issued a Native Regulations (Samoa) Order establishing District Councils of officials and leaders with powers to make by-laws, subject to approval by the Administrator, and to administer these by-laws. It also provided for the creation of village Committees with certain executive powers. But this plan collapsed with the emergence of the Mau movement in the following year, before it could be properly tested, so that these regulations were finally revoked in 1938. The feeling is widespread among officials and others that the gap which still exists between Government organization and the Samoan District and village organization is one of the weakest aspects of the present administrative situation. 25. The Village Women's Committees which are found throughout the Territory were first started in 1924 by a woman doctor to deal with village health and baby care. They received an impetus from the Mau movement, as there was a period when women's organizations carried on public demonstrations after those of the men were banned. The Women's Committees receive to-day the full support of the Administration and give a vigorous organized outlet to the women, who hitherto have had by tradition a rather subordinate social position. Among their activities are periodic inspection of houses and furnishings, attention to cleanliness, sanitation, infant care, and other health conditions, and care of visitors to the community. H. The Town of Apia 26. This urban area has no separate system of administration. Its affairs are dealt with directly by the Government Departments. In the days of the Samoan Kingdom a Municipality of Apia existed under tripartite control by the Great Powers, but this supervised not only the town area as such, but also the activities of the resident European population in Samoa not holding Samoan citizenship. 27. The Aleisa Land Settlement, some eight miles from Apia, was given on 20 November, 1946, the power to elect a Council and make by-laws, and a Mayor and two Councillors are now holding office (see " Aleisa Land Settlement "). I. Public Order 28. Western Samoa is in general orderly by Western standards, and major crimes are rare. The principal offences brought before the Courts are petty theft, assault, disorderly conduct, affrays, trespass, and (in north Upolu) traffic violations. In 1946 a total of 1,885 cases were brought before the Courts. 29. The Department of Police and Prisons is responsible for maintaining law and order. It is headed by a European Inspector, who is in charge of both the Police Force and the prisons. The total staff of the Police Force is 68. In Apia, in addition to the Inspector, there are 6 Europeans comprising five locally-born police officers and an