A—s

The Research Council of the Commission is engaged on the examination of a large number of problems the solution of which will contribute materially to the advancement of the island territories in the region. Permanent members of the Council have paid short visits to our dependencies, but no research work has yet been carried out in them. Work, however, which has been done or is in progress in other areas will doubtless be of general benefit. Associate members of the Research Council include three officers from Western Samoa —viz., Mr. D. R. A. Eden, General Manager of the New Zealand Reparation Estates, Dr. J. C. Lopdell, Director of Health, and Mr. F. J. H. Grattan, Secretary of Samoan Affairs. A general report on the work of the South Pacific Commission is published in the annual report of the Department of External Affairs. 6. THE NEW ZEALAND REPARATION ESTATES, WESTERN SAMOA On the occupation of German Samoa in 1914 by a New Zealand Military Force, the New Zealand Government assumed possession of all property in the Territory which had belonged to German nationals or companies. Subsequently the ex-German trading businesses were liquidated, the trading-stations closed, and some 113,560 acres of plantation lands vested in His Majesty in right of his Government in New Zealand. These lands were treated as part of Germany's reparations to New Zealand, and in 1926 the name New Zealand Reparation Estates was given to them. The Estates are the property of the New Zealand Government, and are operated as a trading concern bearing the same obligations to the Government of Western Samoa as do private concerns. Between 1918 and 1949 the Samoan population increased from 30,000 to 70,000. Inevitably in certain areas, notably along the northern coast of Upolu, there has been an increasing pressure of population on land, and it has been expedient to divest areas from the Reparation Estates to relieve this pressure. Since 1920 a total of 38,200 acres of New Zealand Reparation Estates land has been so utilized, or disposed of for other reasons. Areas now held by the New Zealand Reparation Estates are as under : Acres. Under cultivation by the New Zealand Reparation Estates .. 9,836 Unimproved bush land (mostly valueless) .. .. 60,843 Under lease to individual tenants .. .. .. 4,681 Total .. .. .. .. .. 75,360 Although the disposal of Estates' profits is a matter which rests entirely in the hands of the New Zealand Government, it has, as a matter of policy, employed them in the interests of Western Samoa, and up to 31st March, 1950, has expended or authorized the expenditure of £359,915 out of accrued profits in this way. Projects included in this general development and on which Estates profits have been expended are education, health (including a tuberculosis sanatorium), roading extensions, rhinoceros beetle campaign, scholarships, broadcasting, and residences for the use of New Zealand officers serving in Western Samoa. Western Samoa also benefits annually from the Estates by way of taxation, which in 1949 amounted to £28,219, and a local wage bill of £97,540. Preliminary unaudited figures show a profit of £86,093 for the financial year ended 31st March, 1950, an increase of £8,663 over the previous year's figure. Production has continued to increase on all plantations during the period under review. The desiccated coconut figure was again a record, and there were substantial increases in copra and cocoa. The overhead charges on the Asau Sawmill remained high and, with less timber milled than in the previous year, resulted in a net trading loss. Its operation has, however, served a useful purpose by providing

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