COOLIES FOR SAMOA

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1930, Page 6

COOLIES FOR SAMOA

SCENES- AT DKI’AIITTIU!

ARIA, May 15.

On Thursday, May Blh., the steamei Apoey. arrived in Apia from Hongkong with 251 coolies. Those Chinese were originally brought to Samoa to pi ovule cneap labour for the plantations, but now two-thirds of them are engaged as cooks, house-boys and launclrynieii. Most of the new arrivals, however, were drafted out to the plantations. They were landed on Thursday morning and proceeded at once to the Chinese Commissioner’s oliice. I here, aftei an interrogation by the Chinese Intelpreter, they were selected to. replace those labourers on the plantations who were returning to China by the same boat. Cooks are now at a premium in Apia,- and the wages offered are nearly double tliose paid, to the coolies working on plantations.

SMUGGLERS CAUGHT

Two of the coolies who arrived by the Apoey were found with several tins of opium in their possession. The opium was confiscated and the Chinese concerned are now in custody. Another rather ingenious coolie was discovered by the customs officials trying to land with several cases of Chinese silks.

Of the 251 coolies 25 have previously spent a period in. Samoa. Most- of these immediately sought their former employers. They we're popular with fjh-eir shipmates as they understood the procedure on landing. Four stowaways were found on the ship after leaving Hong Kong. Although they worked well throughout the voyage they were not permitted to land. Two of them were deported from Samoa last year, following the strike of tlie coolie labour on the plantations. It is stated that one is suing a European resident for a considerable sum of money which it is alleged lie . owed the coolie before his deportation. The following day the Apoey left on her return voyage to Hongkong, carrying with her the Chinese who were being repatriated. The sight on the Tivoli wharf was worth seeing. About 200 excited and jabbering Chinamen, with piles of boxes and luggage, all seemed to fie trying to be the first on board, no doubt to secure the- best sleeping quarters.

MISCEGENATION CONTINUES

Many pathetic scenes were witnessed also. Weeping Samoan women, surrounded by two or three small children bearing the unmistakeable imprint of. the Oriental, were openly bewailing the loss of their “husbands.” D> spite of the fact that they know it ;is illegal'to.live with Samoan women the coolies "'round about Apia continue .to defy- the law. In this matter the administration is chiefly to blame for failing to take any action at all. An enforcement of this law would certainly help to keep some of tiic police employed, the majority of whom, in Apia at least, appear -t-o wander listlessly throligh.'the streets- while they are oil duty.