SAMOAN STRIFE ENDS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 460, 15 September 1928, Page 13

SAMOAN STRIFE ENDS

great improvement REPORTED JTCW ADMINISTRATOR’S RULE fTBB BUN S Parliamentary Reporter} WELLINGTON, Friday. '•Conditions in Samoa at the jnoment show a great improvement,” su'd the Right Hon. J. G. Coates this evening, in answer to queations by Mr. H. E. Holland during the discussion on the External Affairs Department vote. "Tli« question of rapprochement with the Mall.” said Mr. Coates, “was entirely one for the Administrator, would us# his own judgment. There was a definite sign of an improvement of trade conditions in Samoa- Customs revenue had been increased in order to make up for the deficiency in the revenue caused through the non-payment of other taxes.” Outstanding taxes totalled X 17,000, c f which a balance of X 15,000 still remained uncollected. Mr. Holland mentioned the boycott of the •'Samoan Guardian” printing firm by the Government. He pointed out that ail the priming was done by ,he 'Samoa Times,” and done very badfy. Mr. Coates: We have not received n.uch encouragement to give the “Guardian” the work. Tie added that the "Times” hud always been given th» Government work. The question oi a change would bo entirely in the hands of the Administrator. Mr- Holland r Jr is hardly fair that one firm should bo boycotted simply because it opposes the Administration.

Mr. Coates: Has its influence been a good one? Ido not think so. The ••Time"'’ had always been regarded as the official paper, hut it is a question »Kuin for the Administrator. We cannot. dictate to him on these subjects. We have, more or less, to give him a free hand. Healing with ihe question of the Chinese coolies, Mr. Coates said that the Chinese were not encouraged to stay for longer than the maximum indenture period of six years.