SAMOA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 66, 11 December 1919, Page 10

SAMOA

TRADE WITH THE GROUP

IS NEW ZEALAND NEGLECTING ITS

OPPORTUNITIES?

A Wellington resident who knows Samoa, am] is iji corrcspondcnco with Mentis tncro, lin.s, through tho medium of his communications, reason to doubt whether tho commercial public of New Zealand is alivo to its opportunities in Samoa. It will be remembered that when war broke out with Germany, and German Samoa was (seized by a Now Zealand iorce, the commerce of tho group was chiefly in tho hands of German companies, ono big concern having predominating interests, which were said to return handsome profits. In due course tho affairs of this company wcro placed in the hands of a liquidator representing tho Crown, and that state of things still exists. Tho present is tho time for tho settlement of many questions contingent on the mandate Now Zealand holds, and chief anion); them the control of the trado of tho group. Although no ono in New Zealand appeal's ti> bo greatly concerned at tho opening that exists for tho extension of tho Dominion trado in tho islands placed under our control, information is to hand that Australian firms are using ovory effort to get a solid foothold in Samoa, and through sheer push and persistency may succeed. What action the Government intends to take in connection with the interests of tho big Gorniany company (now in liquidation) has not yet been mado known, but the warning word sounded—it comes from Aiiia—may he sufficient to rouso those interested "to action in order that New Zealand's trado in her new dependency may not pass into other hands.

According to our informant a great deal of political cant about "enslaved •labour" in Samoa is sheer humbug and is being used for election purposes. "It should bo known that there has ken imported (not enslaved) labour in Samoa under tho German regime for over a quarter of a century.' That was rendered absolutely necessary to prevent the island becoming a tropical waste, for the Samoan is indolent and cannot 1)0 mado to work steadily. Pood is easily produced, and tho Samoan requires very littlo clothing, so ho lives "tho lotus life." But tho island is richly productive, and it would bo folly to allow it to run to waste, so labour has for many years been imported to work the plantations—Solomon Island boys for tho coconut plantations, awl Chinese for tho more intensely cultivated areas devoted to tho production of vegetables and fruit. Tho Chinese will not work on the coconut plantations, as they love to nib shoulders with their follow-men more than is possiblo in the distant plantations where comparatively fow hands are employed. Furthermore, tho Solomon who aro good workers when awaj from their own group—enjoy far better conditions in Samoa than in tho Solomons and do not resont the chango in tho least degree. An interesting situation arises this month, when the contract timo of most, if not all, of the "boys" runs out, and they havo to bo returned to their own group. Without their aid the plantations must deteriorate, and it now ro mams to bo seen what steps the New Zealand Government will take to find labour in order to preserve the existing and potential wealth of Samoa for tho benefit not only of those who may be immediately concorned, but for tho advantage and benefit of everyone on the island—nativo and white.

It is understood that General Sir Alfred Robin will leave for Samoa 011 December 20 in order to relievo tho Commissioner (Colonel Tate), who is returning to New Zealand for a few months. As has already been stated the External Affairs Department is organising a police force, which is to replaco the military garrison, and Captain J. Hill (who was Provost-Marshal in Wellington for some time), and Chiof-Detectivo Boddam, of Wellington, will proceed to Apia at an early date in charge of that force, probably as Commissioner and Inspector respectively.