A.—4B

the people by the three protecting Powers : why, when one of the protecting Powers exercises the control of the three should the people be deprived of the right already conceded to them ? In the report of the New Zealand Government to the League of Nations on the Mandated Territory we find on page 41, under the head of "Labour," " As to those employed in the Public Service, the rates of pay are open to criticism by the Legislative Council when estimates for the financial year are considered." The impression is here given that the people, through the elected members of the Samoan Legislative Council, have a voice in controlling the expenditure. That impression is delusive, for whatever check there may be in possessing the right to criticize any public expenditure has so far been of no avail. The committee is of the opinion that the people who are the contributors to the revenues (except the loans and subsidy from New Zealand) do not actually participate in the expenditure of those revenues. The so-called participation is a mere chimera. It is recommended that measures be adopted to enable the people —through representatives appointed by them —to exercise that fundamental right conceded by British institutions of Government —the right to make grants of their revenue for the Departments of Government. We realize that so long as the present Samoa Act is not amended we must submit to the present system, and we respectfully recommend for the earnest consideration of the Administration and for the approval of the New Zealand Government the creation of a Financial Board, whose members will be elected by the people. This Board may first take into consideration all proposals of public expenditure and the collection of revenues and make recommendations to the Legislative Council on revenue and expenditure. Re Public Debt op £100,000. The committee understand that the public debt of £100,000 was originally incurred for public improvements in the Mandated Territory, and the money was loaned by the New Zealand Government on the security of the Samoa Crown Estates. The committee may be in error, and if so we are prepared for correction. The New Zealand Government, we are informed (probably erroneously), has now taken over the Samoan Crown Estates, and they are held by the New Zealand Government under the title of the New Zealand Reparation Estates. The property which was pledged for the repayment of this loan of £100,000, upon which the New Zealand Government has already received interest and part sinking fund, amounting to the sum of £28,997, is now, by the action of the New Zealand Government, the property of that Government. The New Zealand Government has, in plain language, foreclosed on the secured property. It is submitted that the loan now should be wiped out, and we recommend that the Administration be requested to apply to the New Zealand Government for a release of the loan or mortgage debt. A mortgagee, having foreclosed on a property which was secured by a loan of £100,000, and having become the owner of the property without further payment, appears to be in an anomalous position when he continues to carry on the loan whilst he possesses the property which was secured for the repayment of the loan. This last paragraph is not, probably, in accordance with facts, but the committee is seeking certain information which at present is not disclosed to the committee, and this paragraph has been inserted with the particular view for putting the committee right where it may be in error. Explicit information concerning all public funds is sought for when the public is directly interested, and even in cases of indirect interest such as the revenues of the New Zealand Reparation Estates|in Samoa. The foregoing is respectfully submitted to the Citizens' Committee. [Translation.] FINANCES OF THE GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN SAMOA.—SAMOAN REPORT. 1. The estimates should be printed in the Samoan language (as well as in English), such as is done in American Samoa, so Samoans may learn of the finances. 2. The Legislative Council should have the right to decide on the estimates. 3. No Government loans should be allowed without the unanimous decision of the Legislative Council. 4. An investigation should be made on the national debt, so the causes for the same may be removed. 5. Every effort should be made to eliminate the national debt, including the disposal and sale of buildings and other properties purchased with loan-moneys, and the proceeds of such sale to go towards the payment of the debt. 6. Government officials from overseas should be reduced in numbers, so that their high salaries and the heavy expenditure incidental to their leaving their homes and return thereto may thus be saved. 7. Most of the Government positions should be available to native Samoans, Europeans born in Samoa, and Europeans who have settled in Samoa. The reasons for this are-- (a) They are able to fill most of these positions ; (b) they will undoubtedly work for lower salaries ; (c) a great saving will thus be derived ; (d) the native Samoan will thus have made a real advance, insomuch that he will be able to serve the Government of his country and at a lower scale of salaries to that which now obtains. MEDICAL.—EUROPEAN REPORT. C.M.O. TO BE EXPERT SURGEON AND GENERAL ALL-ROUND PRACTITIONER. The ability of any professional man may be safely measured by the amount of confidence placed in him by the public. Just as confidence is the basis of trade, so is it also the foundation of practically all fields of human endeavour. That the public of Western Samoa have little faith in the local doctors

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