WESTERN SAMOA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18928, 31 July 1923, Page 7

WESTERN SAMOA

DOMINION’S ADMINISTRATION INDENTURED LABOUR SYSTEM. THE MINISTER’S EXPLANATION (Feom Oub Own Coeeespondent.J ■*" WELLINGTON, July 30. When the House met yesterday afternoon the Hon. C. J. "Farr moved to lay on the table of the House the annual report on the mandated territory of Samoa. He explained that the Government had promised that the report would be at the disposal of the members before the Samoa Amendment Bill was submitted to the House. _ Mr F. N. Bertram made a protest against the system of indentured labour in the island. Mr Parr, in reply, said that the new Administrator, Major-general Richardson, reported that he • had everywhere been received with the freest expressions of loyalty and goodwill. So far as indentured labour was concerned, the Minister said this was a question which, at the request of the New Zealand Government, had received the close and serious attention of the Administrator since his arrivai in Samoa. Majorgeneral Richardson, as a result of a series of conferences with officials, merchants, planters, and the Chinese consul, had submitted the following conclusions:— j.. That in the interests of the Samoans and the Europeans alike, Chinese ooolio labour must continue to be imported until suncient Samoan labour is available. 2. That in order to remove the objections to the existing form of contract, to improve the conditions of the labourers, and to secure greater economic efficiency, the indentured system should be abolished and replaced by a system of free labour, subject to certain safeguards and restrictions in the interests of the indigenous inhabitants. This free labour will not remain permanently in Samoa, but will be repatriated at the expiry of a stipulated period of residence. 3. That under the new system labourers should have the right to select fheir place of employment. They should receive pay and feed themselves, and. that the principle of “no work, no pay” should apply. The Administration will guarantee a supply of essential foods, such as rice and meat, at a minimum price. 4. That the new conditions will be.. acceptable to employers, labourers, and the Chinese consul. Mr Parr qboted the present and future rales of pay. At present, he said, the-pay was Is per day, plus food, shelter, medical attention, clothing, etc. The new rates would be 3s per day, the coolie to find .Himself in food. The Minister of External' Affairs, Sir Francis Bell, had, ho said, approved of these proposals, and all future agreements for coolie labour would be made in accordance with them. THE MANDATED TERRITORY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT; ' (Feom Due Own CobbesUondent.)! J/' WELLINGTON, July 30. Major-general Richardson’s first report on the mandated territory of Samoa was tabled in the House of Representatives to-day. -Ho states that the Europeans of various nationalities are very loyal and most anxious to assist the Administration to promote the welfare of Samoa. Applications have been received for British nationality from residents who object to being “British protected persons,” and desire to become straight-out British subjects. Their applications should be granted. Efficiency of Officials. . Major-general Richardson pays a compliment to the efficiency of the officials nnder him, and adds: “The future welfare of the officiols who serve for long periods in the tropics and suffer in consequence impairment to their health, is the responsibility of the Government. At present these Samoan officials, who are not_ permanent members of the New Zealand Civil Service, have a very poor outlook. If they break down in health as a result of their service in Samoa they must leave their employment, whereas a permanent New Zealand civil servant employed in Samoa can return to his deoartment in the dominion. Furthermore. while the New Zealand civil servant can be superannuated, the purely Sampan official has no Government provision made for his old age or premature retirement through ill-health arising from his duties in the tropics. Some of the most valuable officials here are not civil servants. They are, however, doing their very best for Samoa, and I feel sure the Government will in return do its best for them by establishing a permanent service for officials serving in the tropics and the outlying possessions of New Zealand, and also permit them to become contributors to the New Zealand superannuation fund.

Loj/altv of Natives. In regard to the Samoans themselves, the Administrator says: “The natives are loyal, happy, and contented. They are proud' to be associated with the British Empire. _ In all my official visits I have been received with extraordinary enthusiasm and expressions of loyally. The Samoan has, however, no thought for to-morrow, and no vision as to the future of these islands. Ho ~oes not realise that in the economic progress of Samoa he must play a greater part in future for its development if he is to remain the dominant race. The excellent education that is now being given to the young will change the psychology of the Samoan of the next generation. It will be my duty to co-operate with all who have the future welfare of Samoa at heartthe leading teachers, missionaries, citizens, and officials, with a view to formulating some policy for the inculcation of a true, leva! and national spirit into the minds of the young natives, and promoting aims and ideals to guide them in their future lives. “Here in Samoa is a splendid but backward native race, whose development to their present stage has been solely carried out by the solendid work and self-sacrificing efforts of the missionaries which are in evidence everywhere in this territory. The further development of tb° natives Tins been mnde a snored twist for the people of New Zealand, who will. I feel sure,_ avail themselves of the ample opportunities to render a portion of the financial and other assistance which they now so readilv give for similar activities further afield. The health of the natives is generally very good, but more attention is necessary to the people in the outlying districts.’’ ThR S°mce. Major-general Richardson speaks highly of the work of the doctors, and urges that thev he made permanent officials of the Health Department., but adds that we shall never be sb'e to build up an efficient tropical medical service if provision is not made for the future of those who sacrifice their ordinary profession and hodilv health' by serving on a temporary basis in Samoa. - Ho urges that improvement, should be made in wharf accommodation, and that, an electric lighting installation should be provided osnpcia’lv for European homes. In regard to finance economy is being practised, but the Administrator expresses the opinion that New Zealand will not be able to carry out its obligation under the —andate. particularly in regard to improving (he education and med'eal services for the natives, without granting financial assistance to Samoa. “The flame of lovaltv to New Zealand, our guardian, burns brie-btlv.” savs Maiorgenernl Richardson “The attitude of the paipules of the Samoan people to-day augurs well for the future. The coming year should show the results of a settled condition and a contented mind bv a closer attention to local industries on the part of the natives, and a greater unity between all classes of the community.”