CONDITIONS IN SAMOA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9431, 31 January 1921, Page 6

CONDITIONS IN SAMOA.

STATEMENT BY HON. E. P. LEE

WELLINGTON, January 28. The other day there appeared m the "New Zealand Times" an interview from an official who has recently returned from Samoa, giving an account of "native unrest" m the islands of Upolu and Sawaii. The Hon. E. P. Lee, asked about the facts of the case, said it was true that there had been a native "sa," or boycott, of European foods and goods, but the statement^ made by the person interviewed did not give a correct view of the position. The action of the natives was really a protest against the high cost of living, which .was very much felt m Samoa, as m every other part of the world. Unfortunately, m Samoa the position within the last two or three months has been greatly accentuated by a serious drop m the price of copra, which is the main article of native production and export. The boycott was really not started as a protest against the tariff and taxation. It is only latterly that the question of tariff and taxation has been raised. As a matter, of fact, there is very little difference m tariff under the Constitution Order and m the German days, and the effect of the increase on individual purchase must be quite inconsiderable. Similarly, the falling-joff m the production of copra is primarily, and almost entirely, due to the drop m prices. "We have," said MV Lee, "advices, by way of Pago Pago and Sydney, which are a fortnight later than th« ,date referred to m the article, and have been advised that the Administrator met a large gathering of chiefs at Muliirau on the 13th inst., .with quite satisfactory results. The natives now appreciate that the present duties are not unduly excessive, and the fact I that the Administration had set up a I Commission to consider the whole question of the high, cost of living has | tended to promote a better understand- | ing and feeling. We have been definitely advised that the, position has much improved." ■