Samoan Settlers’ Petition For Leasing Of

Reparation Estates.

Apia, May 20.

A LARGELY-SUPPORTED petition has been despatched to the New Zealand Parliament, begging for the leasing out to local European settlers of the N.Z. Reparation Estates' cocoa and coconut plantations, at present run by the N.Z. Government under a management independent of the Samoan Administration.

In the petition, it is pointed out that the dissolution of the Estates will be to the benefit of New Zealand from a financial, as well as a political, view, will assist the Administration of Samoa in the effort to balance the budget. The example of Australia is cited, which has leased out all the ex-German properties in New Guinea.

Though the petition is supported by the commercial interests and the majority of European settlers, some of the European planters—lessees of the N.Z. Reparation Estates —have refused to endorse it, apparently influenced by the present general manager of the Estates, who, of course, is strongly op posed to the object of the petition.

Consequently, there has been quite a lot of controversy over the matter.

It is, however, in spite of all op position, believed that the prospects of success are good, and that a Board of Investigation, set up by the N.Z. Par liament, will go deeper into the matter, and verify the claims of the petitioners.