SAMOAN HEAD TAX TO BE ABOLISHED

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6902, 7 May 1929, Page 7

SAMOAN HEAD TAX TO BE ABOLISHED

Conciliatory Policy

NO DEALINGS WITH MAlf WHILE LAW IS FLOUTED

OFFICIAL PRONOUNCEMENT.

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, Last Night.

While speaking at New Plymouth today, the Prime Minister ref erred.to the recent visit of the Administrator of Western Samoa to Wellington for consultation with the Government, and announced the decisions taken by the Government as a result of that consultation.

' He said that the present Government was not responsible for any of the occurrences of the past, nor did it propose to discuss theni. It had already made it plain, both in New Zealand and in Samoa, that it was anxious to adopt a generous and conciliatory attitude with a view to a conference in Apia and a final and satisfactory settlement of all matters in dispute, but that it could not negotiate with any movement openly flouting the law. “It still maintains that attitude and will continue to maintain it, and all that the Mau requires to do to obtain sympathetic consideration of any represen* tations is to ceaso its defiance of the law. But as the Mau has shown ne indication of its desire to adopt thii sensible course, the Government has been obliged to consider what action it will take, and after consultation vfith' the Administrator has decided upon the following policy:— , “(1) To dispense with the Native personal tax of £2 per flead per annum for chiefs and 3s per annum for othe? male adult Samoans.

“(2) To make a small charge (hav* ing duo regard to the cost of the service and the capacity of tho patient to pay) for one of the activities of ths Administration which the personal tax was designed in' some degree to cover, namely, medical and surgical treatment.

“(3) To increase the present export tax upon copra from £1 per ton to 30s.

“At the same time the Government and the Administration will, of course* continue to enforce the law whenevei this is necessary, and the native personal taxes at present due and unpaid will remain as debts to the Administration and will be collected as the opportunity, offers.

“This statement is made neither as a threat nor as a promise, but merely as a plain indication of the fixed intention of tho Government, and it is the Government's final statement on the Samoan policy until tho Mau renders reconsideration possible. The Government wish it to be understood that it will not deviate from the policy now decided upon until the Mau has the wisdom to cease its defiance of the law. In making this announcement the Government wishes to express its appreciation of the loyal and helpful attitude of a considerable section of the Samoans and to make it plain that the interests of these people will in no circumstances be lost sight of.”