Chinese Labour Question
p. 54 · Read in the full issue
Europeans Form a New Party
THE unexpected attitude of the Mau re garding the employment of Chinese labourers in Samoa has stirred up the European community which has formed itself into a party for its own protection.
It is estimated that about one third of the Samoan natives are not in sympathy
with the Mau, and probably will give some sort of support to the Europeans.
It is difficult to guess what has swayed the Mau leaders in their attitude on the Chinese question, in which for 34 years the Samoans have shown little or no interest.
The case for the planters in favour of the retention of Chinese labour has been clearly stated to the N.Z. Government’s Mission and subsequently in petitions and representations to the Prime Minister—by the planters by the European-elected mem bers of the Council, and by the Apia Chamber of Commerce.
The native Samoans have never objected to the employment of Chinese labourers by the planters, even when there were several thousand coolies working here. The pre sent number has dwindled to 400, who are hardly sufficient to do the necessary plan tation work. Mr. O. F. Nelson has re peatedly expressed himself in favour of retaining Chinese plantation labour, as the Samoans, instead of being hired lab ourers, should extend their own plantations, renew their planting, and start new cultiva tions on the large areas of land available to them.
The planters decided to organise a party whose aims would be “to foster and protect the planting interests and promote to the utmost the material and moral well-being and the social progress of the inhabitants of the Territory” in the terms of the Man date over Western Samoa. The planters considered that their. vital interests, and consequently the interests of all the in habitants of the territory, were seriously threatened# by the unprecedented and un provoked interference of the Fono of Faipule in the economic affairs of the European inhabitants.
A large meeting of European residents at the Tivoli Theatre on October 16, after a convincing speech by the convener, Mr.
A. R. Cobcroft, decided to form a new party to safeguard the economic and political interests of the European residents, as laid down in the terms of the Mandate.
Several speakers pointed out that their interests were very seriously endangered by the avowed intention of the N.Z. Go vernment to deprive the planting industry, which is a basic industry on which all Europeans depend for their livelihood and existence, of essential and indispensable labour.
The name of the new party is the United Progressive Party of Western Samoa. The appeal to the European population was signed by about 150 of the more prominent settlers, mainly planters, traders and busi ness men. Rules were adopted and an executive elected, of which Mr. A. R. Cob croft is chairman, Mr. R. P. Berking, vice president, and Hon. I. H. Carruthers, Messrs. Bruce, Wetzell, Meyer, Williams, Harrington and Brighouse, members of committee.
During the debate, Mr. Carruthers pointed out that the Samoans would not and should never work on the European planta tions as day labourers —an occupation for which the Chinese coolie had proved him self eminently suitable. The Santoans had large holdings of their own and it was preferable that they should extend and in tensively work these holdings, instead of working for the Europeans. The free born Samoan, indeed, was born for some thing better than to be a labourer.
On learning of the demand of the Fono majority to send a delegation to New Zea land, the President and Vice-President of the newly-formed party waited upon the Acting Administrator and lodged a strong protest against the sending of any delega tion to New Zealand at the expense of the taxpayers of the Territory. In case, however, of a delegation being approved by the N.Z. Government, they claimed equal representation for the European residents.