SAMOAN ADMINISTRATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19039, 8 December 1923, Page 7

SAMOAN ADMINISTRATION.

HEALTH OF NATIVES IMPROVING. HEAVY INFANT MORTALITY THE LABOUR PROBLEM. (Peb United Pbess Association.) AUCKLAND, December 7. Major-general Richardson, Administrator of Western Samoa, says that as a result of direct representation of the European community he expects that the people will take a more lively interest in the political affairs of their country than they have done hitherto. He found the European citizens most anxious and ever ready to co-operate for the good of Samoa. The natives appeared to bp happy, contented, and law-abiding, though from our point of view they were not industrious. “Wo are trying,” said Major-general Richardson, “to induce thorn by a system of rewards to produce more for export. The prosperity of Samoa depends primarily on native production; but I do not anticipate an early improvement in this connection. The health of the Samoans is improving under treatment for hookworm and yaws, which is being actively carried out by the Medical Department, and also on account of recently-improved sanitation; but it will bo some years before proper sanitation is installed throughout Samoa. “The population is increasing, but not so rapidly as it should, owin~ to the high rate of infant mortality. This matter is receiving our attention. There are now about 1000 Chinese ooolliea in Samoa, and wo recently repatriated about 300; but we intend to got more to replace them next year. I am assured that we shall have no difficulty in getting all the labour wo need from China, as the labour conditions in Samoa for coollies are very favourable. It will be many years before we can dispense with coollie labour in Samoa. ‘This year will not be a good one economically for Samoa, ns the gales during the last wet season, followed by six months of hot and unusually dry weather, have adversely affected the output of copra and cocoa. Furthermore, the market prices of these products have beon lower than usual. “Private planters are having a hard struggle, and are deserving of any assistance we can give them. The merchants and traders are feeling the effects of the economic depression; but this i s only temporary. Samoa is destined to he a prosperous country, paying its way and with n . debt. The world needs all the tropical products that can he produced; therefore, given guaranteed labour in Samoa, investments should always bring in a good return. “I am . sorry tho volume of New Zealand trade with Samoa ia not what it. ought to be; hut this is a matter for the commercial community of this country to interest itself in.”