CHINESE IN SAMOA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18991, 12 October 1923, Page 2

CHINESE IN SAMOA.

VISITORS’ IMPRESSIONS. WORKING CONDITIONS EULOGISED. DOUBT REGARDING MORAL LAW. (From Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, October 10. Conditions under which the Chinese live and work in the Samoan plantations were tiro subject of two interesting statements made in an interview by Captain J. M. Gillespie, the oldest member of the Samoan Administration (who has just retired on account of ill-health), and Mr J. J. Dougall (Christchurch), who has returned from a visit to Samoa. “ Within the next few <days 400 Chinese will bo repatriated, and there will remain about 1000 Chinese in Samoa,” said Captain Gillespie. “In the past those people were indentured for throe years, and received a wage of 30s a month and all found. Under the now system they receive 3s a. day, out. of which they have to pay Is a day for food. They get lodging and medical attendance free, and they have the option of choosing their own employer. The conditions under which these Chinese work are absolutely n credit to a Christian nation. In answer to a question; " Tho speeches made in regard to slavery down there are absolutely moonshine. The Chinese have been so well treated that when it comes to repatriating them it is almost necessary to drive them out of the country ” “ Is that not because they have married Samoan women and do not wish to be parted from their wives and children?” asked the reporter. “Very few of them have taken unto themselves Samoan wives.” answered ’Captain Gillespie. “ They are not allowed to marry them except ‘ faa Samoa' (Samoan fashion). The conditions under which they work and live have always been a credit to Now Zealand. The compound system is not in vogue. The Chinese, however, are not allowed to wander miles about in the country. If they want to go out at night they have to get a pass from their employers, and that is seldom or never refused.” A definite statement was made by Mr Dougall when he was asked whether the conditions under which tho Chinese live are a credit to a Christian nation. “As far as the moral law is concerned,” he said, “I should say No. We. prohibit the Chinese from marrying a Samoan. There are Chinese who have lived with Samoan women as man and wife, which is quite right according to the native law. Many of these have children, and would like to marry the Samoan women in a legal manner and legitimise their children, bub they are not allowed to do so. Another serious point is that a Chinese is liable to be deported, and he must leave his wife and children behind. 1 think it is good to do all in our power to prevent the Chinese from cohabiting with Samoan women in order to keep the Samoan race pure, but I also think that discretion ought to be given to the Government in Samoa to give a permit for Chinese to marry Samoans in proper cases. Under the existing law we are to a certain extent inducing immorality, because there are certain cases of an affinity between tho Chinese and the Samoan women, and we preclude them from forming a legitimate union. Apart from that, the Chinese are well housed, well fed, and well clothed, and there is absolutely no tyranny or hardship so far as I was able to discover. At the same lime the question of higher pay will rise for the Chinese are not satisfied with the general rate now given.” A point not generally appreciated in the dominion is the fact that the Crown Estates in Samoa are tho property of the Government of New Zealand, and will reman as such, irrespective of any possible change in tho control of the mandated territory. This fact is emphasised by Mr J. L. Arcus, of Wellington, who returned to Auckland' by the Tofua after a trip to Samoa, during which be earned out an audit of the Crown Estate on behalf of the New Zealand Government. Mr Arcus explained that tho New Zealand Government. having taken over certain German property in Samoa as part of the reparations duo by Germany, had then sold certain of the trading' stations, and was having a valuation of the copra estates made When this was completed Germany would be credited -with the amount arrived at. It was thought that the Grown Estates in Samoa would amount to about boOU.WU, but the final figures had not been taken Mr Arcus has made an annual visit to Samoa for the past four years, and has thus been in a position to observe the progress of the territory. Ho stated that he had seen in that time a considerable improvement both in the financial condition of the territory and in the health of the natives. New Zealand contributes about £16,000 per year towards the education and medical services, and provides the administration, while the territory finances tho cost of the local administration. The medical service was becoming highly specialised.