German Samoa.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 4, 26 January 1910, Page 6

German Samoa.

AN INTERESTING INTEIA ILW. rO<ITION OF THE ENGLISH. Dr. Self. Governor of the German colony in Samoa, who is spending some time rn Wellington after, a nine years' absence, jvas seen by a representative of “The Post/’ and in the course of an interview gave some interesting information on German method* of administration in Samoa. It was gathered that the staple native product of Samoa had been, would continue to be. copra. The Government was trying to improve, and had already largely *»iceee<led in improving, the cultivation of copra, and the tradei*. a* well a* the planter*, were absolutely satisfied with what was being done in this direction. Dr. Solf wa* asked if there had not been some dissatisfaction with the methods of the Government in this mat“Oh. yes.” he readily replied. “Thers are. you know, traders, but not of high standing, who take a very narrow view of the eih.v* of trading. They are re)u< fant to adopt — a hat shall I say? Well, good moral* in trade. They wish to cheat the native*. But I am glad to say that the Government, assisted by the leading white traders, English as well a* German, is doing its best to establish a better code of commercial

morality, and the natives themselves are quick to see what is good for them, and are willing to co-operate also. RUBBER PROSPECTS. “You wish to know to what the whites can turn their attention? Well, rubber cultivation is one thing; and in that they are already most successful. Indeed, there is much English and New Zealand capital invested in it. The trees are expected to show excellent returns in two years. Almost every kind of rubber is thriving well. I am very optimistic as to the success of rubber cultivation. As to the price of rubber keeping up, well, the world’s visible supply is not yet equal to the demand. “Great success, too. has been experienced in cacao culture —for making cocoa.” “You have some difficulty, do you not. with regard to labour?” “We did have. That has been met by importations of Chinese, who. generally speaking, work well. If masters and coolies understand each other better. the friction that sometimes arises would disappear.” “The Samoan native, though, lias a reputation for laziness, has he not?” “FAA SAMOA.” ‘‘They do not like to work on contract labour for white men; but I can tell you that the stories you may hear of lazy Samoans must be taken cum grano salis. Tlie natives have to grow their o>vn eocoanuts, yams, taro, kava, bananas, and tobaeeo; they have to rish for their own tables: they have to build and repair their canoes; and they are their own architects and builders—and very line houses they build, too, most artistically decorated in the native manner. I c-aa assure you. No: the native is not so lazy as he is represented to be Moreover, there is a communism among the natives which stands in the way of individual effort. Each member of the race owes some duty to the oilier members, and must contribute to the common weal. If, then, he works for a white man, his labour is a loss to the community. So they regard it. Therefore, they think and maintain that what a native mav earn by working for a white man. he should put into the comffiunal purse. So .you see, working for •white men in plantations must necessarily be unpopular.” eNATIVE LAND POLICY. The land policy of this German-govern-ed colony was referred to, and Dr. Solf explained its working. It was calculated that every native required three acres of fertile land for his own use. and after that had been provided then the balance could be available for cultivation by wdutes. “This system gives ample room for the increase of the natives.” said Dr. Solf, "and I am glad to sav that tae natives are increasing, although slowly, and this otir statistics prove. The policy satisfies both whites and natives. A native cannot sell or lease any of his three acres of land. But leases which were granted to whites for thirty years in international times and after the hoisting of the flag, may become freeholds of the whites. The reason of this is plain. It was recognised that the land w-fitvh had been kept in a state of high cultivation by whites and greatly improved should not revert to

the native who would have the advx*. tage of thirty years of a white ma>*« labour.” UNDER THE GERMAN FLAG. The status of British residents under the tierman flag was referred to, and Dr. Solf at once made it dear that ail who were not natives were distinguished as white. “Now,” he said, ’'the British have equal protection with the Germans, and equal consideration. We have no preferential tariff. There is one Customs tariff and, it does not favour any one—Genmin or otherwise. The Government has given great consideration to the historical development of Samoa, and has continued to regard all whites, be they Germans. Englishmen, or Americans, under the one heading of foreigners as distinguished from Samoans. New Zealand feels the benefit of this, and directly, for New Zealand products are admitted to the group on exactly tile same footing as German, in so far as the Customs duties are concerned, as there is no preference for Germans. Consequently, now that the Oceania Steamship Companv has eeased sending their steamers from San Francisco to Samoa, there is no competition in canned goods from America, but they come from New Zealdhd. Butter and frozen meat—the latter in not snch large quantities as ought to come—and canned mea-s and timber: come from this country in considerable shipments.” THE RIGHT OF BRITISHERS. "Would it be correct, then, to say that the British have political rights equal with the Germans?” Certainly, that is so. Why. I have on my Advisory Council two Englishmen. There is not, nor has there been any trouble between the Germans and the English because of the difference of nationality The British have ben given no reason to find German rule and have not found it so. "I am glad to say that in Samoa there is not. as it seems there is in other parts of the wbrld. any ill-feeling between Englishmen and Germans. In Samoa they dwell together harmoniously, and during the whole of my term in tie islands they have never done anything else. I cannot speak much abojfr the present high tension of feeling between Englishmen and Germans jn Europe. except to regret it as all thinking Englishmen and Germans must regret it; and 1 do think that it is much evagoerated by the inflammatory section of the British and German newspapers. I do not really think that bitter feeling is characteristic of the people of England and the people of Germany. Each needs to know the other more.”