SAMOA.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19524, 22 January 1929, Page 5

SAMOA.

USE OF CHINESE LABOUR. [THE PRESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, January 21. "There are 1000 Chinese labourers in Samoa," said Captain R. J. Carter, head of the Samoan Labour Department, who arrived by the Tofua this morning. "They work mostly on the plantations, but a few are employed as house servants. I have occasionally to hold a Labour Court, but generally speaking there is not much trouble. The Government arranges for the men to come out. They are engaged for a period of three years, pay being 3s per day. They are not indentured. They are, practically speaking, free agents and leave their job at a week's notice and can be dispensed with under the same terms. The is reimbursed for the outlay of bringing them from China by the people who employ them. They are good workers and quiet. "So far as the Samoans are concerned," continued Captain Carter, "they also are good workers, but will not stick to their jobs. They are an independent people and have their own land, and if a feast is being held down the road off they go to it, even at the expense of sacrificing any money that maye be coming to them." Referring to Samoa generally and the Administration Captain Carter had nothing to say. Asked in regard to the suicide of a high official after the visit of an Investigating Committee from New Zealand, Captain Carter said a shortage had been discovered in the accounts of the repatriated estates. The accountant, who committed suicide, considered that he was responsible because he had' charge of the accounts. This preyed on his mind and resulted in him taking his life. Another officer, who was employed in the storekeeper's branch of the same department, was arrested and charged with the defalcations. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment.