Post by NZBC on Aug 11, 2008 23:31:35 GMT 12
SAMOAN PEOPLE
STATE THEIR VIEWS LABOUR. LIQUOR, POLICE, AND EDUCATION. March 6, 5.5 p.m. APIA, March . The European citizens here have .embodied their views in reports on Samoan problems. Sir James Allen and the Parliamentary Party will meet their committee for the purpose of giving a reply on Wednesday. The report on agriculture and labour says: — The position to-day is that we must have more labour, or face bankruptcy. Without an adequate supply "it will be impossible for the planters to carry on. The labour barracks, which previously were considered to fulfill requirements, have been condemned, and we are compelled to make aditions and erect new buildings. The last straw was the forced repatriation of the indentured Chinese, costing from £20 4/4 to £20 10/- per heart, against £2 10/- before the war. To these causes, as well as more costly provisions, the ravages of the rhinoceros beetle Is attributed the cause of the bankruptcy of some of the largest companies. One company reduced its labourers from 294 to 12, and its rubber output from 69,3831 bto nil; its cocoa from 139. tons to 20 tons." Summing up, the report says: — "Five thousand labourers will ultimately be required for the maintenance and development of the present plantations, and to meet' the needs of the merchants and public works. The opin' is expressed that Chinese could easily be procured at an outside wage or-30 per month. Failing Chinese, the report suggests Japanese be obtained, by arrangement with the Dutch Government. Figures submitted show approximately 20,000 acres under cultivation, mostly German land The New Zealand Government is interested in 76,000 acres of H.P.G. lands allotted to New Zealand by the Peace Treaty 1 , On Etaroupan plantation there are at present at work indentured Solomon Islanders and Chinese, but the Solomon Islanders are being repatriated and are no longer a factor. In 1910 the Chinese numbered 2200, while now there are 830. The Solomon Islanders numbered 850, and now they total 405. It is pointed out that a Samoan with his wife earns more per day cutting copra on his own holdings than the planters pay him for a month's work. Moreover the Samoans are insufficient to replace indentured labourers. The report asks Sir James Allen to advise as to the status of the German properties. A report on the liquor control vigorously protests that the residents regarding the prohibiton proclamations, and considers the terms of the mandate do not stipulate for total prhibition. Grey River Argus, 8 March 1920, Page 5
STATE THEIR VIEWS LABOUR. LIQUOR, POLICE, AND EDUCATION. March 6, 5.5 p.m. APIA, March . The European citizens here have .embodied their views in reports on Samoan problems. Sir James Allen and the Parliamentary Party will meet their committee for the purpose of giving a reply on Wednesday. The report on agriculture and labour says: — The position to-day is that we must have more labour, or face bankruptcy. Without an adequate supply "it will be impossible for the planters to carry on. The labour barracks, which previously were considered to fulfill requirements, have been condemned, and we are compelled to make aditions and erect new buildings. The last straw was the forced repatriation of the indentured Chinese, costing from £20 4/4 to £20 10/- per heart, against £2 10/- before the war. To these causes, as well as more costly provisions, the ravages of the rhinoceros beetle Is attributed the cause of the bankruptcy of some of the largest companies. One company reduced its labourers from 294 to 12, and its rubber output from 69,3831 bto nil; its cocoa from 139. tons to 20 tons." Summing up, the report says: — "Five thousand labourers will ultimately be required for the maintenance and development of the present plantations, and to meet' the needs of the merchants and public works. The opin' is expressed that Chinese could easily be procured at an outside wage or-30 per month. Failing Chinese, the report suggests Japanese be obtained, by arrangement with the Dutch Government. Figures submitted show approximately 20,000 acres under cultivation, mostly German land The New Zealand Government is interested in 76,000 acres of H.P.G. lands allotted to New Zealand by the Peace Treaty 1 , On Etaroupan plantation there are at present at work indentured Solomon Islanders and Chinese, but the Solomon Islanders are being repatriated and are no longer a factor. In 1910 the Chinese numbered 2200, while now there are 830. The Solomon Islanders numbered 850, and now they total 405. It is pointed out that a Samoan with his wife earns more per day cutting copra on his own holdings than the planters pay him for a month's work. Moreover the Samoans are insufficient to replace indentured labourers. The report asks Sir James Allen to advise as to the status of the German properties. A report on the liquor control vigorously protests that the residents regarding the prohibiton proclamations, and considers the terms of the mandate do not stipulate for total prhibition. Grey River Argus, 8 March 1920, Page 5