Still No Decision!
p. 58 · Read in the full issue
Chinese Labourers In Samoa
From Our Own Correspondent
Apia, Feb. 19.
T'HE matter of the repatriation of the Chinese plantation labourers, whose contracts expire in August of this year, is still causing much agitation among the European planters.
No decision has been made by the N.Z.
Government so far, though a number of petitions have been forwarded to New Zealand protesting against the threatened measure, which would mean the ruin of the plantation industry.
The natives are enjoying a period of prosperity at present, and it has become increasingly difficult for planters, even at increased wages, to obtain Samoans for casual employment on their plantations.
The wages of Chinese plantation labourers have recently been raised from 1/9 to 2/- per day.
An intimation that the Socialist Govern ment planned to repatriate the Chinese was given first by the “Goodwill Mission” in June, 1936—nearly nine months ago.