A.—4B

The new taxation law is very hard upon small people, and may drive many of them out of business, to become a burden upon the community. A tax upon unimproved lands would supply a considerable revenue to our light Treasury, and it would make speculation in lands unprofitable. The D.H. & Ptg. Ges., who held 75,000 acres of these lands purely for speculative purposes, have consistently objected to a tax upon unimproved lands. They have about 6,000 acres already under cultivation, and if they really intended to cultivate further, a few thousand acres would supply all their needs, while the balance, if arable, might be sold. The present Land Ordinance seems expressly made to facilitate the sale of their properties. Why should this be the case, when it is against the best interests of the whole colony ? The time has now arrived when the interests of the D.H. & Ptg. Ges. ought not to take precedence of the best interests of German Samoa. If this company has ever at any time performed any services which the Empire has felt grateful for, the Empire has discharged these obligations in full long ago by favours innumerable and onerous. Any further concessions or favours are granted at the expense of the other colonists, and the best prospects of the whole colony. It is not our intention to take much cognizance of Native affairs ; but we believe that we express the opinion of the majority by saying, if certain diverse wishes of the Natives, which we also feel are just, were considered, then the whole subject of ruling them, with even a firmer hand, would be easy of accomplishment, and then they would willingly pay a larger share towards the upkeep and prosperity of our local treasury. The colonists desire to create a proper waterworks for Apia, to improve its harbour and make it safe, to connect with the world's cables, and to encourage an opposition steamship line ; but under the present system none of these things can be considered. Such great works might be nearer to fulfilment if the colony were self-governing, and especially if the colony might obtain permission to raise a needed loan. In the foregoing pages we have given some only of the many grievances and drawbacks which this colony has had to bear. Our chief complaint has been against the overgovernment, and the retrospective taxes levied ; but self-control at this end is really our main desire, and, we honestly think, the best and the easiest of all cures for our present disordered state. L. K. Schmidt. Alp. Preuss. T. Niebuhr. G. E. L. Westbrook. 4th February, 1910. Fr. Nelson.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 927

Price Is. Od.]

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