NEWS FROM SAMOA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 237, 6 October 1936, Page 19

NEWS FROM SAMOA.

I PLANTERS' PROTEST. REPATRIATION OF CHINESE. * BROUGHT AND FOOD SHORTAGE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) APIA, September 23. The ftraoan Planters' Association, the elected members of the Samoan Legislative Council, suppQi'ted by the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. 0. I". Nelson, and o-ther bodies, have forwarded a strong protest against the threatened repatriation of Chinese and Melanesian plantation labour to the New Zealand Government. It is pointed out that this measure is wholly unwarranted, and detrimental to tlie European and Samoan plantation industry, and likely to have serious consequences to the economic development of tlie territory. It is hoped that the New Zealand Government will reconsider the matter in the light of the representations made and allow the planters and also the Govern'-ment-owned. New Zealand Reparation Estates to retain an adequate labour supply, such as is essential to the maintenance and the development of the plantations in Western Samoa. Drought on West Coast. A food shortage, due to a lengthy spell of dry' weather, is reported front the districts on the west coast of Upolo. So far the shortage is not considered serious, and other districts have still a surplus of food and the rainy season should start shortly. Owing to the continued pre valence of measles in Western Samoa, the Naval Administration at Pago Pago has again declared a quarantine for passengers from Western Samoa. The census for the territory of Western Samoa will be taken on November 4 next. There have been important changes and a large increase in the native and local-born population, since the last census was taken, and the result of the coining count is awaited with interest. In accordance with a promise made by the Goodwill Mission the Estimates of the Administration for the present financial year are published in the Samoan language. .. Tlie Samoan Treasury is investigating the financial affairs of European planters who are indebted to the Administration, the New Zealand Reparation Estates and commercial firms, with a view to granting relief wherever necessary, especially for debts incurred during the depression period. The treasurer has received authority to act in -1 conjunction with the Debt Postponement Board. The investigation has been ordered as a result of representations made to the Goodwill Mission. Personal Items. Sir Mavnard Hedstrom, director of the firm of Morris, Hedstrom, Ltd., is expected to arrive at Apia on a visit of inspection to the Apia branch of the. firm by the steamer Antigone, at the beginning of October. The Government auditor, Mr. McCulloch, accompanied by his wife, has left Apia by the Maui Pomare after the expiration of his term of office in the territory. Passengers on the schooner Makoa for Swain's Island and the Tokelau Group on September 17 were Mr. A. E. Jennings and family, Rev. Father Deihl, of the Roman Catholic Mission, and Mr. E. E. Dunwoodie, postmaster of Apia.