COOLIES IN SAMOA ?

Grey River Argus, 14 July 1936, Page 6

COOLIES IN SAMOA ?

PLANTERS WANT CHINESE N.Z. Mission Not Favourable WELLINGTON, July 10. (From Special Representative of United Press Association with Ministerial Delegation.) APIA, July 12. The view that any alteration m the conditions of indentured Chines) labour would seriously affect the whole territory, was expressed by the Samoa Planters' Association, in ar. interview with the Government de’e-gation. lhe deputation pointed out that the Chinese were, law-abiding citizens, good workers and very reliable. Tho Samoans on the other han ', lived in plenty on products of their own land, which for centuries had kept them in smiling I abundance, and had produced a race .of natives known throughout the world as the gentlemen of the Pacific. No offer of additional remuneration would induce them Io remain at work on plantations, when a new church or rowing boat was to bo built, or when some grand feast was the order of the day. Air. Langstone replying, said: "We are greatly concerned about cheap coolie labour exploited here. We don’t. like it. We hate it. Cheap labour has never been a benefit to any country, it seems your great problem is lack of sufficient income. What von need more than anything elst, is a stabilised price for cocoa and copra. The present system of marketing is stupid, like playing at blind man's bit f f. ” . Tho Minister said that an endeavour would be made to include the Mandated Territory in any reciprocal agreements entered into between New Zealand and other countries. Planters could rest assured that wages would not be increased until they were provided with means to pay higher rates. Tie did not see any reason why the Samoan could not be trained to do the work now being done hy Chinese. The. astonishingly large number o verv beautiful churches scattered thromdimit Samoa, was surely a striking tribute to the ability and industry of the Natives. Over 800 Visitors (ARRIVE (BY THE (MONOWAI, MAN Y ENTERTA INM ENTS. (Received July 13. at. 10.40 p.m.) APIA, July 12. The “Monowai” arrived here at 5 p.m., on Sunday, with oxter three hundred tourists. She "ill Ka *l 011 day next at 2 p.m.. for Suva. An elaborate programmo was arranged for the entertainment of the visitors. Monday afternoon was declared a holiday, when a meeting will be held at Apia. Park, Motor drives to all places of inte” cst, and. also several native entertainments, haw been arranged for the visitors, who will be kept busy with all the different functions. Excellent weather prevails.