CHINESE IN SAMOA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 239, 9 October 1936, Page 7

CHINESE IN SAMOA

PLANTERS ALARMED COOLIE LABOUR ESSENTIAL APIA, Oct. 7. At a recent meeting of the committee of the Planters’ Association of Western Samoa, the president read a letter from Mr Nelson regarding the repatriation of coolie labour. The letter stated that it was the intention of the Mau Committee to request the New Zealand Government to repatriate all Chinese. The planters are consequently greatly alarmed, and are of opinion that such action will inevitably ruin the cocoa industry in Samoa. So great is the concern that it has been suggested that a strong endeavour be made to form a Country Party, embracing permanent residents, whose opinions are contrary to those expressed by the Mau, and who believe that the planting industry is essential for the future prosperity and welfare of Samoa, and that they must have an adequate supply of Chinese labour to enable them to carry on. Article 2 of the mandate states that the interests of all of the inhabitants must be protected. It is also persistently stated that the Samoans formerly known as the Malo, who have no organisation, are seriously considering organising into a National Party, so that they may also have the privilege of presenting their views to the Government. COUNTRY PARTY FORMED WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE FOSTERING PLANTING INTERESTS Received Oct. 9, 12.2 a.m. APIA, Oct. 7. A Country Party has been formed. It aims to foster and protect planting interests and promote to the utmost the material and moral well-being and social progress of the inhabitants of the territory. The proposition to form the party was signed by a large number of permanent residents, headed by Messrs Smythe and Carruthers, elected members of the Legislative Council of Samoa. LESS CHINESE LABOUR COMMENT BY MR. SAVAGE I Per Press Association] WELLINGTON, Oct. 8. A definite declaration day Chinese indentured labour in Samoa is rapidly disappearing was made by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, commenting on the cablegram from Apia in which decisions made at a meeting of representative Samoans were reported. Mr. Savage said that Chinese labour meant cheap labour and the Government was out to improve the standard of living in Samoa as in New Zealand. “So far, no reply has been sent to the Samoans, as the Government’s time has been occupied in dealing with other questions,” Mr. Savage said. “As far as the other point in the representations is concerned,” the Prime Minister said, “the Samoans are entitled to elect anybody they think lit to make representations to the New Zealand Government through the Administrator, and, intellectually, Mr. Nelson seems to be well qualified for the job/*