For Unrepatriated Chinese In

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For Unrepatriated Chinese In Samoa

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Nov. 19.

IX connection with the coming of the * Chinese transport, expected to arrive at Apia about the middle of December, for the repatriation of Chinese coolies, the Administration has announced that only coolies working on cocoa plantations and the rubber plantations of the N.Z.

Reparation Estates will be allowed to remain in Samoa.

All coolies working on coconut plan tations or as cooks and artisans will be repatriated. An exception will be made in the case of 100 coolies who arrived in Samoa before the New Zealand occu pation in 1914 and who will remain un disturbed. The number of coolies needed for cocoa plantations has been computed by the Administration at 250, though planters strongly disagree with this fig ure. placing it at from 350 to 400.

The Administration has declared that the daily wage for coolies remaining after the departure of the transport has been fixed at 2/6 for an eight-hour day, with a repatriation fee of 6d. per dav to be paid by employers to the Admini stration. The present wage is 2/- per day.

In answer to a ouestionnaire sent to the coolies, to find out the number wish

ing to return to China, 80 per cent, of those employed privately declared their wish to stay in Samoa and only 20 per cent, want to leave. On the Reparation Estates (Government-owned plantations) the position is, however, exactly the re verse. About 80 per cent, of the coolies employed there want to leave and only 20 per cent, to remain.

The Chinese Consul at Apia has writ ten to the Administration asking for a postponement of the repatriation for six months. He said that the coolies are afraid the transport may be sunk by the Japanese. The Acting Administrator re plied that an escort will be provided for the steamer by the British Navy, and that he cannot recommend a postpone ment.