COOLIE LABOUR

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 190, 13 July 1936, Page 7

COOLIE LABOUR

PROBLEM IN SAMOA. THE PLANTERS’ CASE. GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE

(From the Special Representative of the United Press Association with the

Ministerial Delegation.) Received July 13, 9.45 a.m. APIA, July 1 12

The view that any alteration in the conditions of indentured Chinese labour would seriously affect the whole territory was expressed, by the Samoa Planters’ Association in an interview with the Government delegation. The deputation pointed out that the Chinese were law-abiding citizens, good workers, and very reliable. The Samoans, oil the other hand, lived in plenty on the products of their own land which, l'or centuries, had kept them in smiling 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 to remain at work on their plantations when a new church or rowing boat was to lie built, or when some grand feast was the order of the day.

Hon. F. Langstone, in reply, said: Wo are greatly concerned about the 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 that your great problem is lack of sufficient income; what you need more than anything else is a •stabilised price for cocoa and copra. The present system of marketing is stupid—like playing at blind man’s huff.

The Minister said an endeavour would he made to include the Mandated Territory in any reciprocal agreements entered into between New Zealand and other countries. The planters could lest assured that wages would not ho increased until they were provided with the means to pay the higher rates. He did not sec any reason why the Samoan could not be trained to do the work now being done by the Chinese. The astonisuingly large number of very beautiful churches scattered throughout Samoa was surely a striking tribute to the ability and the industry of the natives, he added.

CONTENTED LIFE. IMPRESSION OF SAMOANS. (Special to the United Press Association.) ATI A, July 11. Everywhere the New Zealand delegates journeyed during a four-day tour of the island of Savaii they found the inhabitants leading happy and contented lives. In their brown thatch mushroom-shaped houses surrounded by banana groves, clumps of breadfruit, and towering coconut trees, with many a dainty glimpse beyond of reef and sea, the natives certainly gave the impression of not having a care in the world. The Visitors were enthusiastically received with full Samoan ceremonial. The visit embraced an inspection of the schools and formal meetings with the people. Native orators affirmed tlie statement that the Samoans were now a united body willing and anxious to work together for the benefit of the whole race.

Hon. F. Langstone reiterated that the policy of the New Zealand Government would be to aim toward a goal whereby, as far as it was humanly possible to do so, Samoans would lie encouraged to train for responsible positions and thus take a greater part in governing their own country. The Minister commented most favourably on the work of the various missions in the island and paid a tribute to the teachers for the high standard of education in native schools.

At Fagamalo a deputation of European residents approached the delegation with a request for some expenditure on roads and bridges and received a favourable reply. The official party, which included the acting-Ad-ministrator, Mr A. C. Turnbull, was accompanied by Miss Billy Nelson, daughter of Mr O. F. Nelson, and representatives of different political sections.