RUIN TO PLANTERS

Evening Post, Issue 30, 4 August 1936, Page 10

RUIN TO PLANTERS

IF CHINESE REMOVED

SAMOAN EDITOR'S OPINION

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, This Day,

"The announcement by the Hon. F. Langstone that the good-will mission to Samoa has decided to remove most of the Chinese labour from Samoa within twelve months and the remainder soon afterwards will inevitably bring about an agitation for tha removal of this mandate from New Zealand," said Mr. R.. W. Robson, editor and owner of the "Pacific Islands Monthly," who is travelling to Sydney on the Aorangi.

"I was present at the meeting in Apia between the good-will mission and the planters, \vhen the Minister expressed- abhorrence of the Chinese labour indenture system and determination to remove the Chinese from Samoa," said Mr. Robson. "Never have I seen such consternation among a group of men. The planters know that if they are deprived of this labour they will be ruined. They argued and pleaded with Mr. Langstone and Mr. O'Brien, but the only satisfaction they got was an expression of the mission's conviction that the Samoans could be taught to work. The delegation gave the impression that they were not concerned about the European planters anyway." \ , .

Mr. Robsqn added that it was certain that the decision would deprive Samoa of an adequate labour supply and would give, shape and force to the desire for separation from New Zealand. -•-■': .. . . .•