CHINESE COOLIES FEWER NOW IN SAMOA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17906, 23 July 1926, Page 4

CHINESE COOLIES FEWER NOW IN SAMOA.

(Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, July 22. The number of Chinese coolie labourers in Samoa, according to the annual report on New Zealand’s mandated territory, has been reduced to 890. Of this number it is intended to repatriate about a hundred and to import two hundred others during the present year. The additional labourers are required to develop new areas of the New Zealand reparation estates and for rubber production. Generally speaking, these labourers are contented, well behaved and give little trouble. Their satisfaction with the conditions of free labour under which they are working, states the Administrator, is shown bj r the desire of large numbers to remain in preference to returning to China on completion of their three years’ engagement, but renewal of this coolie period of service is not in accordance with the policy of the Administration. On the other hand, complaints have been received, principally from cacao planters, to the effect that the free labour ordinance does not work satisfactorily in all respects for the employer, as it permits dissatisfied labourers to leave their plantations and obtain new employment at a time when their services can ill be spared, such as during the picking season. While, even at the present rate of increase in the native population, it will necessaiily be a number of years before Samoans can be relied upon to provide all the labour required for European plantations in addition to their own, there are indications that the economic pressure due to their increasing numbers and gradually increasing needs is causing them to take up employment on Government and private plantations. This enables the number of imported labourers in Western Samoa to be reduced to a minimum. SAMOAN PROGRESS. The year 1925 was more successful than the previous one from the point of view of trade, the total value being £725,377, or approximately £lB per head of population. Figures indicate complete recovery from the effects of the two abnormal or boom years of 1920-1, when excessive imports at high prices reacted unfavourably on the steady progress of the territory for several 3'ears. There arc two satisfactory features of last year’s trade. The increase is entirely 'due to greater production on the part of the natives, and the balance of trade in Samoa’s favour is £33,399. The outlook for the ensuing years is good, for, in spite of the storm which visited the islands in January, the Administrator considers that the damage done will diminish the copra crop by only a small extent, except in one or two plantations. The cacao crops should be equal to last years. Further, as efforts are being made to produce a larger quantity of rubber and cotton, the increase in these products should make up for the deficiencies in copra and cocoa The revenue, for the year ended March 31. 1926, totalled £150,038, includ ing native taxes £20,032 and Customs and taxes £76,730. Expendittire was £145,687. The New Zealand subsidy, £21,400, is based on the additional cost due to extension of medical and educational services in the interest of the native population.