LABOR IN SAMOA.

Gisborne Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9577, 31 July 1923, Page 3

LABOR IN SAMOA.

! XE\V AD.MIXISTK ATOR’S REPORT. INDENTURE SYSTEM SHOULD BE : ABOLISHED. j WELLINGTON', July -‘JO. i When the ifou-e met at 2.30. the Hon. C. Parr moved to lay on the table of Hie House the annual nmort <ri the mandated territory of Samoa. I He explained that Hie Government Lad > promised that the report wouid he j placed at the disncsal of members Le--1 fore Ihe Samoa Amendment Bill was 1 submitted to the Hons. . | Mr. Bnrtrnm made a protest against I the system of (indentured labor in the ! islands.

I The Hon. 0. J. Parr, in reply, i aid 1 the new Administrator (Major-General ! Pie!.arils, in) reported Thar he bed I everywhere been received with trust I and expressions of loyalty and .goodwill. So far as indentured labor was concerned the Minister said this was a . question which, at the request of the | New Zealand Government, bad received ■ the close and‘serious attention oi he | Administrator since his arrival in i'a- ! moa. Major-General Richard-on. as 1 the result of a series of conferences 1 with officials, merchants, planters, and j the Chinese Consul, submitted the joij lowing conclusions(l) That in the :n----i terests of Samoans and Europeans alike ! Chinese coolie labor must eon'intie To | lie imported until sufficient Samoan laborers are available; (2) that, in order to remove objections to the existing form of contract and to improve the conditions of laborers and secure (peat or economic efficiency, the indentured system should he abolished and replaced b.v a system of free labor subject to certain safeguards and restrictions in interests of jndigneous inhabitants. This free labor will not remain permanently in Samoa, but will be repatriated at the expiry of the stipulated period of residence; (3) that, under the new system, laborers should have the right to select their place of employment. and should receive greater pay and feed themselves, and that the principle of no work no pay should apply. The Administration will guarantee to supply essential foods such as rice and meat at the minimum price; (4) flint the new conditions will be acceptable to employers, laborers, and the Chinese Consul. The Hon. C. J. Parr quoted tho present and future rates of pay. At present, lie said, the pay was Is per day. plus food, shelter, medical attention, clothing, etc. The new rates would be 3* per dav, (lie coolie to find liimsclt in food. The Minister of External Affairs (.sir Francis Bell) had, he said, approved of these proposals, and all future agreements for coolie labor would be made in accordance with .them.—Press Assn.