SAMOA'S LABOUR PROBLEM

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21909, 9 October 1936, Page 11

SAMOA'S LABOUR PROBLEM

PLANTERS ALARMED

SUGGESTED REPATRIATION OF

CHINESE

(By Radio —Special to United Press Association)

APIA, October 7

At a recent meeting of the committee of the Planters’ Association of Western Samoa, the president read a letter from Mr O. F. Nelson on the repatriation of coolie labour. The letter stated that It was the intention of the Mau committee to request the New Zealand Government to repatriate all Chinese. The planters consequently are greatly alarmed, and they are of opinion that such action will inevitably ruin the cocoa industry in Samoa. So great is their concern that it has been suggested that a strong endeavour be made to form a Country party embracing permanent residents whose opinions are contrary to those expressed by the Mau, and who believe that the planting industry is essential to the future prosperity and welfare of Samoa, and that they must have an adequate supply of Chinese labour to enable them to carry on. Article 11. of the mandate states that the interests of all the inhabitants must be protected. It is also ! persistently stated that the Samoans, who were formerly known as the Malo, and v.ho have no organisation, are seriously considering organising into a National party, so that they also have the privilege of presenting their views to the Government.

A COUNTRY PARTY FORMED

PROTECTION OF PLANTING INTERESTS

(Received October 9,'12.15 a.m.)

APIA, October 7,

A Country party has been formed. Its aims are to foster and protect planting interests, and to promote to the utmost the material and moral well being and social progress of the inhabitants of the territory. The proposition to form the party was signed by many permanent residents, headed by Messrs Smythe and Carruthers, the elected members of the Legislative Council of Samoa,

CHINESE LABOUR TO BE ENDED

PRIME MINISTER’S COMMENT

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON. October 8. A definite declaration that the day of Chinese indentured labour in Samoa was rapidly disappearing was made by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage), in commenting on the cable message from Apia, in' which the decisions made at a meeting of representative Samoans are reported. ! Mr Savage said that Chinese labour meant cheap labour, and the Government was out to improve the standard of living in Samoa, as in New Zealand. Mr Savage said that so far no reply had been sent 'to the I Samoans, as the Government’s time | had been occupied in dealing with I other questions.

Speaking of the other point in the representations, the Prime Minister said that the Samoans were entitled to elect anybody they thought fit to make representations to the New Zealand Government through the Administrator, and int TlectuaTy Mr O. F. Nelson seemed to be well qualified for the job L _