Islands’ Unemployed

Put Them On The

Land!

Suggestion From Samoa

From Our Own Correspondent APIA, November 20.

The land policy of the Western Samoan Administration is being much criticised by the public.

The Administration and the N.Z.

Reparations Estates, between them, hold large areas of good plantation land, which are at present of no use to anyone. With large numbers of Europeans—traders and others—out of work, or in poor circumstances, it would be a great relief if the Administration would parcel this land out, say in 50-acre blocks, under an obligation that the lessees must plant a defined acreage every year, the land to be rent free for the first five years and after this period a fair rental to be paid to the Administration. The properties could be inspected by the Administration regularly and, in case of default, by the lessee, the land automatically to return to the Administration.

It may be safely assumed that such a scheme would not only relieve many good settlers, but, through increased nroduction, would also greatly benefit the Administration.

It is to be regretted that the New Zealand Government seems to be opposed to the cutting up and leasing of the Reparation Estates, though it is hard to believe that the estates run by the New Zealand Government have brought any profits during the last few years, especially since the heavy decline in the copra price. ... ===