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Memorandum for the Hon. Minister of External Affairs. Apia, Samoa, 10th May, 1923. I took over the, duties of Administrator on the 16th March last, and during the intervening eight weeks I have been able to meet the citizens of Apia, to visit some of the outlying villages, and also to make a superficial inspection of the various Government Departments. I have also met and conferred with the Faipules. The impressions and opinions that I have formed from my observations are— 1. European Residents. —The Europeans of various nationalities are very loyal, and most anxious lo assist the Administration to promote the welfare of Samoa. Applications have been received for British nationality from residents who object to being " British protected persons " and desire to become straight-out British subjects. Their applications should be granted. 2. Electoral Representation. The citizens of Western Samoa, are most anxious to be granted direct representation on the Legislative Council as a first, step towards self-government,. There are many matters which concern the welfare of Samoa now requiring attention, but which I would prefer should be dealt with by a Council on which the people concerned are directly represented. For the above reasons I recommend that the necessary legislation to give effect to the wishes of the local citizens be passed into law at an early date. 3. Administration Officials. —I have frequently met most of the officials in conference, and am satisfied that Samoa is fortunate in having men of their type. They are for the most part very efficient, hard-working, and have ideals beyond their own personal interests. The future welfare of Samoa and its people is constantly in their minds, and governs their actions in all their administrative duties. The future welfare of officials who serve for long periods in the tropics, and suffer in consequence impairment to their health, is the responsibility of the Government. At present these Samoan officials, who are not permanent members of the New Zealand Civil Service, have a very poor outlook. If they break down in health as a result of their service in Samoa they must leave their employment, whereas a permanent New Zealand Civil servant employed in Samoa can return to his Department in the Dominion. Furthermore, while the New Zealand Civil servant can be superannuated, the purely Samoan official has no Government provision made for his old age or premature retirement through ill-health arising from his duties in the tropics. Some of the most valuable officials here are not Civil servants. They are, however, doing their very best for Samoa, and I feel sure the Government will in return do its best for them by establishing a permanent service for officials serving in the tropics and the outlying possessions of New Zealand, and also permit them to become contributors to the New Zealand Superannuation Fund. 4. Natives. —The Natives are loyal, happy, and contented; they are proud to be associated with the British Empire. In all my official visits I have been received with extraordinary enthusiasm and expressions of loyalty. The Samoan has, however, no thought for to-morrow, and no vision as to the future of these islands. He does not realize that in the economic progress of Samoa he must play a greater part in future for its development if he is to remain the dominant race. The excellent education that is now being given to the young will change the psychology of the Samoan of the next generation. It will be my duty to co-operate with all who have the future welfare of Samoa at heart, the leading teachers, missionaries, citizens, and officials, with a view to formulating some policy for the inculcation of a true, loyal, and national spirit into the minds of the young Natives, and promoting aims and ideals to guide them in their future lives. Here in Samoa is a splendid but backward Native race whose development to their present stage has been solely carried out by the wonderfully good work and self-sacrificing efforts of the missionaries, which are in evidence everywhere in this Territory. The further development of the Natives has been made a sacred trust for the people of New Zealand, who will, I feel sure, avail themselves of the, ample opportunities to render it portion of the financial and other assistance which they now so readily give for similar activities further afield. 5. Medical. —At each village I visited on my official malagas I arranged for all the children to be inspected, and I formed the opinion that the health of the Natives is generally very good, but that more attention is necessary in the outlying districts to provide medical treatment for the two most common tropical diseases here yaws and hookworm. I am pleased to report that the Medical Department is now organizing a complete national medical service, so that treatment will be within easy reach of all Natives in any part of this Territory. The effect of this scheme will not be fully shown for twelve months. I cannot speak too highly of the doctors in the Samoan service, and ! urge that they be made permanent official of the New Zealand Public Health Department, so that, should they break down in health through service in the tropics, they can get a change of employment in New Zealand. Medical work in the tropics is of a special nature, and doctors should be encouraged to remain in the Samoan or other tropical islands when they have acquired a knowledge of tropical diseases ; but we shall never be, able to build up an efficient tropical medical service if provision is not made for the future of those who sacrifice their ordinary profession and bodily health by serving on a temporary basis in Samoa. 6. Improvements in Apia. —There is an urgent need for better wharf accommodation in Apia Harbour. It is also necessary for the health and comfort of the, residents, and particularly the Europeans, that electric lighting should be installed. Both these matters are being carefully gone into, and it is hoped that the New Zealand Government will give the necessary initial assistance for the carrying-out of these essential public works, which I am confident will pay more than an adequate revenue to provide for interest, sinking fund, and upkeep.