CHINESE IN SAMOA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9072, 24 April 1908, Page 6

CHINESE IN SAMOA.

A MANDARIN INTERVIEWED. BY TEIiEOKAPH—PRESB ASSOCIATION. I AUCKLAND, April 23. Mr Thos. Ling, the Chinese mandarin, who was sent by the Chinese Government to Samoa to investigate the condition of the Chinese coolies there, stated that it did not appear likely that the report to his Government would result in any cessation of the flow of his country into Germanowned islands of the Pacific. Trouble on the plantations had arisen, owing to the agreements failing to distinguish between the American dollar and the Mexican dollar of Is lOd. Mr Ling is satisfied that the Chief Justice and the Acting-Governor will remove the causes fur complaint. There are now 1,038 Chinese in Samoa. The Chinese Government did not encourage the emigration of Chinese, who went on the advice of friends, or relatives in China. Mr Ling said China was getting a big army together, but it was only for defence. "We, Chinamen" he added, "do not intend to take what does not belong to us. We have plenty of territory of our own. Ling was reticent on the subjects of the poll tax on the Chinese and the boycott of Japanese goods by China. He said he had broached the subject of establishing Chinese Consulates in Australasia to Lord Plunket, who favoured the idea. . It was hoped to have a Consul in Sydney and one in Samoa.