CROWN ESTATES.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 2, 3 January 1924, Page 7

CROWN ESTATES.

UNWORKED SAMOAN LANDS. TO BE OFFERED FOR LEASE. TTSIELY CHANGE XN" POLICY. (Special to the "Star.") APIA, Samoa, December 20. There is great rejoicing on the part of residents at the promise of rapid development offered in the change of policy brought about by the Administrator, Major-General Kichardson, as the result of his recent conference in Auckland with (Sir Francis Bell. The position was explained to a largely attended meeting at Apia by General Richardson on Christmas Eve. "Since 1920 the Government has, in the interests of Samoa, spared no expense in endeavouring to cultivate and improve their plantations so that they could subsequently be made available for lease or sale to private planters," said the Administrator, "and the Government has now decided that the time has arrived to give opportunities for all the estates to be made available for lease to private enterprise. Tenders will be accepted for: (a) All the plantations, or (b) Separate plantations, or (c) Aggregates of several plantations. "A board of Directors will be set up to administer the estates. This board will consist of Government officials with power to appoint expert advisers to assist in control. All revenues from the leases will be credited to the administration and used for the benefit of Samoa. All estates that are subsequently leased will, from the date of such lease, be transferred to the administration and the revenues therefrom be made available for the Administration of Samoa." "By the above policy the Government desires to afford the fullest opportunity to private enterprise to carry on the plantations, which are now in good condition, and which with expert and careful management will show a good profit. In Samoa taxation is extremely low as compared to most other countries of the world. Labour is assured, and in view of the world's need of tropical products capital investments should bring in a good return. The change from the present policy of nationalisation to that outlined will take some months to complete, probably a year. TL-re is no need, however., for hasty decisions, and before any leases are made it is intended to give not only local planters, but the commercial community of New Zealand the fullest opportunity to consider the prospects which this new policy will afford to them for investment. Land For Natives. "Since my arrival in Samoa I have endeavoured to use my influence with the natives to make fuller use of their plantations and to develop more land, if possible, for cultivation of tropical products, o/ier than copra and cocoa, ' for export. I shall not despair if immediate results are not obtained in this connection, but I fear that it will be a long time before they realise that Samoa's prosperity as well a≤ their own depends largely on their carrying out of this policy. Where natives have insufficient land for their present requirements, or where there is insufficient to provide for their probable increase during the next fifty years, a sufficient area of Crown estates land may, with the approval of the Administrator, be reserved for their use. Any area so reserved will remain vested in the Crown and will not be transferred to native title, subject to: (1) Land must be absolutely inalienable; (2) natives must, within reasonable time, make use of it and continue so to use it for their own benefit; (3) administration to have power to reserve if those conditions are not complied with. "Apart from the uncultivated areas of land forming part of the various plantations, there are comparatively large areas of undeveloped land in Samoa which could be brought under cultivation, although at great expense. It is not the policy of the Government to do anything with these at present. Government Trading Concerns. "In the public interest the New Zealand Government has for several years carried on various trading concerns in Apia, viz: butchery, dairy, ice works, laundry, rest house etc. Authority has now been given for these activities to be terminated should I deem it advisable to do so. They will, however, 'be first made available for lease. Administration and Retrenchment "Although the taxpayers of Samoa do not bear the whole cost of the Administration and could not carry on the present activities without assistance of New Zealand, it is thought that the cost of administration is too high in proportion to the total trade of the country. With a view to effecting a reduction iv the Administrative expenditure. the Government has approved of proposals for a gradual reduction of the staff, and also a new scale of pay, which, unfortunately for those concerned, mean a reduction in total emoluments. "Samoa needs a number of experienced and highly trained officials, and these we cannot attract if the salaries are not good. Those officials who have to be brought from overseas are required to sacrifice their homes and remake them on their return, and are in consequence put to considerable expense which local officials do not incur. "The Government wishes to ensure that the salaries are commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of the respective appointments, which it is considered the new scale provides for. All oversea officials who do no prefer to serve under the new conditions will have their passages paid back to New Zealand if they so do desire. Several thousand pounds will be saved by these reductions. Assistance to Cocoa Planters. "I have been asked by the cocoa planters if the New Zealand Government would endeavour to fix a tariff for cocoa, giving preference to the Samoan product, over the cheaper brands of cocoa imported into the Dominion from other tropical countries. While the New Zealand Government sympathises with the private planters in Samoa it cannot impose a duty on cocoa beans from other British possessions. The Government will, however, favourably consider the question of giving preferential rates for carriage on Government railways. I think the best economic solution for assisting cocoa planters is to increase the'demand by giving publicity to the world the fact that Samoan cocoa is unequalled in quality, and by strictly complying with the recently passed" cocoa ordinance which will ensure the maintenance of its high quality. .The private planters -can rest assured that the administration -wilt give them, all the assistance pcTelble.

Chinese Labour. "No difficulties are likely to be experienced in getting all the Chinese labour -we require under the new conditions which are reported to be working so satisfactorily. During the coming year we shall be repatriating about 600 coolies and replacing them by new coolies from China. I would therefore ask all employers of labour to carefully consider their future requirements and notify the administration as soon as this information is called for, which will be at an early date. The xhree years' engagement system will be adhered to as although free labour has been substituted for the old indentured system, it is not intended to keep Chinese labourers longer than three years in Samoa in future, except in very special cases such as the 'old boys' who arrived prior to the British occupation, and this small number will not be allowed to own property, land or house, but may engage in market gardening. I cannot let this opportunity pass without expressing my appreciation of the good work done by the Chinese labourers in Samoa. They are for the most part law-abiding, and good workers. They are doing their part in the development of Samoa and it is our duty to recognise this, which I think has been done as far as possible in the new conditions under which they are now working. "While almost any tropical product will grow in Samoa none offers quicker returns on capital expenditure than pineapples. I am at a loss to understand why people in New Zealand do not interest themselves in the great possibilities of this industry being developed in Samoa. The Government can place laud and buildings and machinery for canning at their disposal at a very reasonable figure, while labour is cheaper here than in Hawaii, where the industry flourishes. I appeal to the people of New Zealand to not allow this opportunity to pass, as inquiries are being made from other parts of the world with a view to developing this industry at Samoa. "The release of the Crown estates to private enterprise is also a very important change, and should result in increased production and prosperity. The Government of New Zealand has done, and will continue to do, its utmost to promote the welfare of Samoa. With this assurance it remains for each individual to support the Government in its efforts, and for all sections of the community to remain united as at present. If "we all pull together and take as our motto for the coming year "Economy and increased production/ then, by God's help, Samoa will prosper." .