SAMOA.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19612, 7 May 1929, Page 14

SAMOA.

REVISION OF TAXES. FIRM POLICY WITH MAU. I'P.ESS ASSOCIATION lEi.Sur.AX.I WELLINGTON. May G. speaking at New Plymouth to-day. the Prime Minister referred to the recent visit of the Administrator of Western tfamoa to Wellington tor consultation '.villi the Government, and announced the decisions made by lie Government as the result of that consultation. The Prinij Minis iff said thai the present Government were not responsible for any of the occurrences of the past, nor did they propose to discuss them. They had already made it plain both in New Zealand and in Samoa, that they were anxious to adopt a generous and conciliatory attitude with a view to a conference in Apia and a final and satisfactory settlement of all matters in dispute, but that they could not negotiate with any movement openly flouting the law. '"They stil! maintain that attitude, and will continue to maintain it." said Sir Joseph, "and all that the Man require to do to obtain sympathetic consideration of any representations is to cease their defiance of the law; but, as flie Mau have shown no indication of a desire to adopt t)iis sensible course, the Government has been obliged to consider what action they will take, and, after consultation with the Administrator, they have decided upon the following policy : "(1) To dispense with the native personal tax of £2 per head per annum for chiefs and 36s per annum for other male adult Samoane. "(2) To make a small charge Khaving due regard to the cost of service and to the capacity of the patient to pay) for one of the activities of the Administration which the personal tax was designed in some degree to cover. namely." medical and surgical treatment.

"(ft) To increase the present export tax upon copra from £1 a ton to 30s a ton.

■'At the same time, the Government Knd Administration will, of course', continue to enforce the law whenever this is necessary, and the native personal taxes at present due and unpaid will remain as-debts to the Administration, and will be collected as opportunity offers. This statement is made neither as a threat nor as a promise, but merely as a plain indication of the fixed intention of the Government, and it is the Government's final statement on the Samoan policy until the Mau render reconsideration possible.

"The Government wish it to be understood that they will not deviate from the policy now decided upon until the Mau have the wisdom to cease their defiance of the law. In making this announcement, the Government wish to express their appreciation of the loyal and helpful attitude of a considerable section of the Samoans, and to make it plain that the interests of these people will in no circumstance-* be lost sight of."