SAMOAN DISCONTENT

Otago Witness, Issue 3519, 23 August 1921, Page 38

SAMOAN DISCONTENT

NEW ZEALANDER’S VIEW. GREAT PROBLEM OF LABOUR. Impressions of tile situation in Samofc, derived from a brief visit to the islands, were given to the New Zealand Herald by Mr R. R. Etowart, of Balclutha, who returned by the Tofua. Mr Stewart said that although he was only two days at Samoa he saw euite clearly that there was a great deal ,f dissatisfaction there. It was difficult, however, to obtain any clear information as to whether there was any justification for it. Samoa, in common j with other countries, was suffering from the effect! of a trade depression, and as copra was practically the only article of export, the efforts of the depression were j acute. The price of copra was now rising, i and one or two cargoes had recently been j sent away, so that this cause of discontent ■ was being somewhat alleviated. The oilier rreat concern of the Fa moans, proceeded Mr Stewart, was labour, ind nn- : i. ss arang' Hims wer- promptly made for I a simply of labour the copra trade would ! ■ to pieces. The indentures of the Chinese labourers expired last month, and it was liiulci stood the men wore going back to China. Since the Germans left Samoa the cocoa plantations had practically ceased to exist. The only surviving plantation was owned by a German woman, and comprised about 00 acres. When the Chinese labourers left this plantation would cease to produce. Mr Stewart said there appeared to be n great d-a! of mvstery about flic petition io the King to have Samoa d'ciared a l Crown colony. Tile principal agitator- up--1 peered to be the opponents of prohibition, becked Mil bv German sympathisers, who wre always 're-dv to a-i.-t any ..no preI pared to resist the New Zealand \dminisi,.. ;, ~ Some inquiries should be made ■ a bont those who were responsible for the n tition before it v. .is accepted as a genuine expression of opinion by the residents of Sam on

AMERICAN TARIFF. A TITK 'All'll.!; WORLD. \\ iiLF.I NO i OX. August 15 1: rfv-.j Pi o lo ilif mini, I," the I’o.sf I p’.figiupli Department that a r. the di'jMrl should _ j, lia I ' ■ : ’ ' : ' fiDhe Chief J’ostMiii-it'i i-ii p.i.pp .your, The J( . ||| of tin- < 'i•;• 1 11 • ’■ r of states toe.iv tlnii tile lew Ij,-1 j. : t laiili i- stringent that I 1 oraciii-.ile louinc-i t . pro! ibition. Ii at- ed New /, aland particularly in the ,■ . cif wool, cheese, meat, l.'ne \W>o! unwashed; was l :, cents p. r pound wade d. 3) nt? ; scoured, 45 coin r l iii- |n umihi'-v i ".flu!uted the export of wool to Am.:, a. The tariff which is against the .Janie world outbidi