SAMOAN PROBLEMS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 1509, 8 March 1920, Page 5

SAMOAN PROBLEMS.

LABOUR OR BANKRUPTCY?

[By Electric Cable —Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.)

APIA, March 5

The European citizens have embodied their views in reports on the Samoan problems. Sir Jas. Allen and the Parliamentary party will meet this committee for the purpose of giving a reply on Wednesday. The report on agriculture and labour says that the position to-day is that we must have more labour or face bankruptcy. Without an adequate supply it is impossible for the planters to carry on. The labour barracks which previously had been considered to fulfil the requirements had been condemned, and we are compelled to make additions and erect new buildings. The last straw was the forced repatriation of indentured Chinese, costing from £2O to £2O 10/ per head, against £2 10/ before the war. To these causes, as well as the more costly provisions, the ravages of the rhinoceros bettle is attributed the bankruptcy of some of the largest companies. One company had reduced its labourers from 294 to 12, and its rubber output from 69,3831bs to nil, cocoa from 139 tons to 20 tons. Summing up, the report says that 5000 labourers ultimately will be required for the maintenance and development of the present plantations, and to meet the needs of merchants and public works. The opinion was expressed that the Chinese could easily be procured at an outside wage ■of 30/ a month. Failing Chinese, the report suggests that the Javanese could be obtained by arrangement •with the Dutch Government. The figures submitted show that approximately 20,000 acres are under cultivation, mostly German. The NewZealand Government is interested in 76.000* acres, the lands allotted to New Zealand by the Peace Treaty. On the European plantations there are at present at work indentured Solomon Islanders and Chinese, but the Solo-

mon Islanders are being repatriated, and are no longer a factor. In 1910 the Chinese numbered 2200, and now there are S3O. The Solomon Islanders numbered 850, and are now 405. It is pointed out that the Samoan, ■with his wife earns more per day cutting copra on his own holding, than the planters pay him in a month. Moreover, the Samoans are insufficient to replace the indentured labourers. The report asks Sir Jas. Allen to advise as to the status of the German properties. The report on liquor control vigorously protests that the residents were not consulted regarding the prohibition proclamations, and considers that the terms of the mandate do not stipulate for total prohibition. The report also draws attention to the fact that the Germans employed two white policemen, who practically prevented the natives from drinking. The report advocates State Control. The report on the constabulary declares that such a stiong and expensive force was not warranted, and it assures the visitors that, the native constabulary with its present officers, was more conducive to the peace and safety of Samoa. The report dealing with the press requests that the censorship on local newspapers should be discontinued. The report on education states that the education of the children could be better and more economically carried on by the existing mission agencies, who should be encouraged and subsidised by the Government, than by the State school system.