SAMOA.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1923, Page 4

SAMOA.

IT, A XTATIOX AV ORKERS. CONDITIONS EXC'ELLENT. A I CELAND, October 10The conditions under which Chinese liv P and work on plantations in Samoa were the subject of two interesting statements made in an interview by Captain J. Af. Gillespie, the oldest member of the Samoan Administration (who has just retired on account of ill-ltcalth). and Air J. J. Dougall. <f Christchurch, who has just returned from a visit tu Samoa.

(‘Within tlie next few days 100 Chinese will tie repatriated and there will remain about lOt'O Chinese in Samoa.” said Captain Gillespie. ‘‘ln the pa*t these people were indentured for three years, and received a wage t f .‘los tt mouth and till found, ruder the new system they receive 3s a day. out of which they hare to pay Is a day for food. They get lodging and medical attendance free, and they have the option of choosing their own employer. The conditions under which these Chines,, work are absolutely a credit to a ( hristintt nation, and always have been. Speeches made in regard to slavery down there are absolutely moonshine. The Chinese have been so well treated that when it comes to repatriating them it is almost necessary to drive them out of the country. ‘Tx that not because they have married Samoan women and do not wish tu lie parted from their wives and children:” asked a reporter. “Mere few of them have taken unto themselves Samoan wives,” answered Captain Gillespie. ” I hey are not allowed to marry them except fail Samoa (Samoa n fashion!. The conditions under which they work and live have always been a credit to New Zealand The compound system is not in vogue. The Chinese, however, are not allowed to wauiler miles about in the coitntiy. If they want to go out at night they Have to get a pass from their employers. anil that is seldom or never refused.”

A definite statement was made by Mr Dougall when he was asked whether the conditions under which the Chinese live are a credit to a Cmistian nation.

■‘So lar as ihe moral law is concern ed." he said, “1 should say no. Wo prohibit the Cimcso from, marrying Samoans. There arc Chinese who have lived with Samoan women as man and wife, which is quite right according to native law. Alanv of them hav,» child-

ren and would like Lo niar.v Samoan women in the legal manner and legitimise the children, hut they are not allowed to do so. Another serious point is that the C hinese is liable to he deported anil he must leave his wife and children behind. 1 think it is good to do all in our power to prevent Chinese from cohabiting with Samoan women but 1 fil'-o think that discretion ought to he given to the Government in Samoa t'i give a permit for Chinese to m»rry Samoans in proper eases. ITulcr the existing law we are to a certain extent inducing immorality, because there are certain eases of an allinil.v between Chines and .Samoan women, and we preclude them from forming a legitimate union. Apart from that the Chinese are well housed, well led am! well clothed, and there ii absolutely no tyranny or hardship so far as I was ah!,, to discover. At the same time the question of higher pay will arise, for the Chinese are not satisfied with the .general rale now given. A point, not

geiierallv appreciated in tic Dominion is the fact that the Crown estates in Samoa are the property of the Government cl New Zealand, and will remain as such irrespective ol any possible change in control of the mandated ten itnry.” This fact is emphasise,! |. v Mr J. J.. Arcu-. of Wellington, who ictuniel to .Auckland by tlm Tofun after a trip to Sanma, during which he carried out an audit cl tlm Crown estates on D hall of (Tic New Zealand (toe cinim lit. Mr Arcus explained that ihe New Zealand Govei'iimcnl having taken overieitain German properties in Samoa as part of ih<‘ reparaiions due liv Germ any, had then "ihl certain ot tlm trading stations mid was having a valuation of the i ojna estates made. When this nil. completed Germany would he ei'n'fitcil with the fmount arrived at. Tt was thought that ibe Clown estate's iu Samoa would amount to about BdOO.OOn, 101 l the i> 1 iil figures had not been taken Out . Mr Aicii- lias made an annual ti-it lo Samoa for the past four years, and tins thus been in a position to observe the progress of the territory, lie stall'd that he had seen iu that time considerable improvement, both In the nnancinl condition of ihe territory uml in th health of the natives. New Z"a----h-uA c-uniribntps about Bid.DOT per year towards the education and medical services, and p.'ovides the administer—tiou. while territory finances, cast of local administration ami medical s"ivire was becoming highly specialism!.