SAMOAN AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 22464, 8 October 1936, Page 9

SAMOAN AFFAIRS

MR NELSON TO BE ADVISER REMOVAL OF CHINESE SOUGHT Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright APIA, October 6. The Faipules’ Fono submitted two remits to-day, the first that Malietoa and Tumalealiifano be “ fautua,” which means advisers, and that Mr 0. F. Nelson bo “faatouu,” which means director or advisor, in the relations between the mandated administration and the Samoans, these three together to attend and take part in the Fono of Faipules. The second remit is that all Chinese be sent away from Samoa. The Fono was adjourned while these remits were forwarded by radio to the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage) in Wellington. It is awaiting his repiy. PLANTERS ALARMED APIA, October 7. (Received October 8, at 11 n.m.) At a recent meeting of the Committee of the Planters’ Association in Western S'atnoa, the President read a letter from Mr 0. F. Nelson regarding the repatriation of coolie labour. The letter stated that it was the intention of the Man Committee to request the New Zealand Government to repatriate all Chinese The planters consequently are greatly alarmed and are of opinion that such action will inevitably ruin the cocoa industry in Samoa. So great is the concern that it is suggested that a strong endeavour be made to form a Country Party embracing perrntnent residents, whose opinions are contrary to those expressed by the Man, and who that the planting industry is essential to the future prosperity and welfare or Samoa, and must have an adequate _ supply of Chinese labour to enable it to carry on. Article 2 of tbe mandate states that the interests of all the inhabitants must be protected. It is also persistently stated that Samoans, formerly known as Malos, 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. AGAINST CHEAP LABOUR PREMIER’S COMMENT [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.} WELLINGTON, October 8. The definite declaration that the day of Chinese indentured labour in Samoa was rapidly disappearing was made by the Prime Minister (Mr Savage) to-day when commenting on the cablegram from Apia in which the decisions made at a meeting of representative Samoans were reported. Mr Savage said Chinese labour meant cheap labour, and the Government was out to improve the standard of living m Samoa, as in New Zealand. So far no reply had been sent to the Samoans, as the Government’s time had been occupied dealing with other questions. As for the other point in the representations, the Prime Minister said that the Samoans were entitled to elect anybcidv they thought fit to make representations to the New Zealand Government through the Administrator, and intellectually Mr Nelson seemed well qualified for the job.