HIGH PRICES

Taranaki Daily News, 12 February 1921, Page 10

HIGH PRICES

SAMOAN NATIVES PROTEST. ALLEGED .ACK OF OFFICIAL TACT. i Passengers from Samoa on board the steamer Navua gave some interesting details of the position in Samoa, states the Fiji Times and Herald of January 10. The outlook is anything but promising. In June or July last the Government considerably raised the import duties, especially on goods from America and Britain. From the first, the natives felt the pinch, and rould not see the justice of the extra cost of living. At the earlier stage they blamed the traders, but after careful inquiry, the high chiefs convinced their people that it was not the traders, hut the Government who were responsible. All along the Administrator has not improved the position. In reply to deputation after deputation he promised to look into things and did nothing The natives have now, it is alleged, completely lost faith in the Administration. They have now decided to cut themselves off from the Europeans. The natives, even the high chiefs, keep out of Apia, the traders are all boycotted, ; pickets or sentries watch for traitors, and the natives have not only returned to native foods, but to native dre?s, which incidentally will he all the healthier for the natives. A few weeks ago a deputation of leading chiefs asked the Administrator when"’their claims would be granted. Colonel Tait, in the course of his reply, said significantly: “New Zealand has many small empty islands.” Thin was accepted al. once as a threat, and greatly embittered the natives. This month a. monster gathering of all the natives in all the islands of Samoa has been called to decide on a course of action. Residents look upon the position as grave, and greatly blame the authorities for the attitude they have adopted