Reduced Wages.
p. 16 · Read in the full issue
Save Samoan Cocoa Planters.
From Our Own Correspondent.
Apia, Dec. 30.
FOR years the cocoa planters of Samoa have endeavoured to get cheaper labour for the plantations to keep in line with developments in other cocoa growing countries, and with the steadily decreasing cocoa price. The committee of the Samoa Planters’ Association, which includes the two recently elected Legislative Councillors, Messrs.
Carruthers and Cobcroft, recently waited upon the Administrator and presented their views on the labour question, pointing out that it is absolutely vital for the industry to obtain a wage re duction and that otherwise the planters are in a desperate position, facing ruin and bankruptcy.
It is reported that, at the urgent re quest of the planters, the Administra tion has agreed to bring about a reduc tion of the daily wage rate for Chinese coolies from 3/- to 2/- as from April 1, 1933, and that the Chinese Government has expressed its consent to this wage reduction.
This will mean a saving of approxi mately £10,000 a year to the industry and will be the saving of many planters.
It will also greatly benefit the Govern ment-owned N.Z. Reparation Estates.