Deported Planters.

Samoanische Zeitung, Volume 23, Issue 33, 17 August 1923, Page 3

Deported Planters.

(To the Editor Samoa Times.) Sir—The article by "M.B. O." is not calculated to promote the friendship between different nationalities and races living side by side in Samoa. As far as the attack (the mud-slinging ou Observer") is concerned, no further comments are necessary, for the letter written * by your correspondent condemns itself. All I ask you, Mr M.8.0., is to drop your nationality for the time being. Now, tell me honestly, how would you like to have your plantation (or other property for that matter) confiscated, and your family sent out of the country ? Just because you happened to be on the "other side" (at the time!) just because you happened to be a Frenchman, a Spaniard or a German? I am sure you would not like it I M&O. further states:" Any fool can get results with cheap

labor, etc." I have to disagree with hiin on that point. It takes money to start a plantation with; not to mention brains and hard work to keep it agoing and put it on a paying basis! Of the many fallacies the letter contains, I wish to point out a few lo the writer. Ist. The prices of copra and cocoa are governed by the world market (supply aud demand). No doubt the existing economic system has weak points, but it is not within the scope of this letter to elaborate on them. I only wish to say that the sudden overturning of this system is the main cause of the chaotic condition in Russia at the present day. Secondly, there never existed (as claimed by writer) such a condition as the "boot and whip" rule. Overseers were cautioned by their employers to be just in the treatment of of the labor entrusted to their care. Besides, it was in the interest of the planters to keep their labor contented. Many black-boys, for instance, renewed their - contracts with their former employer, after beiug repatriated. They did so on their free will.' But granting for the sake of argument that a "boot and whip" rule existed (as Mr M.8.0, claims) why does he in another sentence a little later remark : "The laborers have to be handled with gloves on?" How does he reconcile these two statements made by him ? Are not these few words conveying the impression that he is in favor of the establishment of "bootand whip" rule? The contents of M.8.0.'5" letter are an echo of war-time propaganda, which has poisoned the world for the last nine years. We here in Samoa have had enough of it; it is high time that the "hatchet" was buried. We realize the difficult position the Government is in. It is the duty of every citizen (regardless of nationality) to support the administration in

its sincere effort to pull the country out of the mire of economic and financial oppression." Writing scurrilous letters in the newspaper will not accomplish this.—lam, etc., F, E. H.