NATIVE REQUEST

Evening Post, Issue 86, 8 October 1936, Page 9

NATIVE REQUEST

REPATRIATION OF CHINESE

EFFECT ON PLANTING

United Press Association—By Electric Tele-

graph—Copyright.

(Received October 8, 12.30 p.m.)

APIA, October 7.

At a meeting of the committee of the Planters' Association of Western Samoa, held on Monday, the president read a letter from Mr. O. F. Nelson regarding the repaxriation of coolie labour. The letter stated that it was the intention of the Mau committee to request the New Zealand Government to repatriate all the Chinese.

The planters are consequently greatly alarmed and are of the opinion that such action will inevitably ruin the cocoa industry in Samoa. So great is the concern that it is suggested that a strong endeavour should be made to form a Country Party embracing permanent residents whose opinions are contrary to those expressed by the Mau arid who believe that the planting industry is essential to the future prosperity and welfare of Samoa and that it must have an adequate supply of Chinese labour to enable it to continue.

. Article 2 of the Mandate states that the interests of all the inhabitants must be protected.

It is also persistently stated that Samoans, formerly known as the Malo, who have no organisation, are seriously considering organising into a National Party so that they may also have the privilege of presenting their views to the Government.