CHINESE LABOUR

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 July 1920, Page 5

CHINESE LABOUR

IN SAMOA

THE INDENTURE SYSTEM

ADVOCATED BY MINISTER. (Special to the Star.) With Labour interruptions the opportunity was taken by the Government last night to open the- discussion on the Samoan question by way of a motion that the report on the Parliamentary visit and the Pacific Islands trade commission be printed. It was arranged that the Hon Mr. Lee (Minister for External Affairs) should make his speech leaving the debate to' be resumed later. The Minister for External Affairs stated that although under the Act of last Session the administration of Cook Islands was placed under his Department, legislation would bo introduced to allow the Cook Islands continue to be administered by tho representative of the native race on the Executive as was formerly the case. Ho went on to detail what transpired during the visit to Samoa, when he said that members got into touch with the Chinese indentured labourers in the presence of the Chinese Consul. Though in last Session’s debate much was heard of slavery in Samoa this phase seemed to disappear on the visit hut something began to be said about the illicit relations of the Chinese with Samoan women,. Mr. Howard: It will crop up again. The Minister went on to say that it was the opinion of the Europeans in

Samoa that 5000 indentured labourers were needed. It was his opinion, too, that the only way to develop the Island

was by outside labour, and .the only available source of supply was China. It was the policy of the Government, if approved by the House, to secure Chinese labourers under a properly controlled system of indenturing. It was beyond doubt that at present it was impossible to produce Samoan products by relying on Samoan labour. He would not’ say that the people were lazy, but they had their own standard of living and did not require much effort to maintain it. Mr. Parry : He wants the full product of his toil. The Minister: Doubtless, the hon. member would like to see the same system in New Zealand, but we are going to give

the Samoans the chance of taking advantage of their individual effort ; then they will take their full share in the developments of Samoa. Mr. Kellett: And the minute you do that they die out.

The Minister: Our policy is to let the Samoan go on as he likes but to give him the benefits of public works, education, hospitals and such things; but we are not going to let rich plantations go back any further than rre deplorable condition they are in at present. There are some 500 indentured labourers on their way from China.

Mr. McCombs: In a breach of the contract made by Sir Jas Allen. The Minister: No, I say the undertaking was that there should be no appreciable increase in Chinese labour until Parliament had decided the question.

Mr. McCombs : That was not the undertaking. The Minister went on to say that the valuable German plantations wore held by New Zealand as the contingent own-

It had been erroenously suggested that Samoa would be a financial burden to New Zealand. As a matter of fact we held a large sum ; the proceeds of the Samoan administration. The plantations constituted a valuable asset because in spite of the labour difficulties £200,000 revenue was accumulated from them of which £l7O, 000 was invested in New Zealand war bonds. During the military occupation of Samoa the revenue exceeded the expenditure by ,£15,000 per annum, but, if the cost of medical and education services, as well as public works had to bo met it could be found from the profits of Crown estates in Samoa. The estimated revenue of the administration for the year was £136,878, including £28,000 accumulated surpluses and expenditure was estimated at £134,619, including £16,800 placed to reserve. This expenditure included new redlining items which would be revenue producing, such as harbour appliances, a central accommodation house conducted by the Government, also medical, and sanitary services. He contended that the Chinese were in a better environment in Samoa than where they came from, so that he failed to see the justification for certain members’ apprehension about them. Mr. McCombs : That would be a good argument in bringing them to New Zealand.

The Minister; They are not going to interfere with Samoa but will improve the lot of the Samoan by developing his country. The Minister continued by quoting the missionary opinion that the introduction of married Chinese would not have a prejudical effect on the morals of Samoans. A serious question, he declared, was /whether tho rhinocerous beetle was to be allowed to destroy the fine plantations. The Government’s policy was to allow Chin ese to remain for three years,, and if married six years. There would be no sexual trouble if the Chinese did not rema n long enough to learn the lan guage. He assured the House that die Chinese were in better conditions in Samoa than in China, and it was reasonable to give them an opportunity of bettering their conditions. Mr. Holland : Yet you keep Hindoos out of New Zealand. A Member: Would you let h'm in? The Minister: Our objection is that the Hindoo is a detriment to the people here, but the introduction of Chinese will be a benefit to the Samoan people. The debate then adjourned.