A Few Words From Samoa

Letter to the Editor IN addition to having an air base here in Samoa, we also are to have a Local Defence Force, which is to be comprised only of men who are British subjects. The Adminstration has already issued the forms of enlistment, on which it states that the prospective soldier will serve under the conditions now ruling.

Inquiries as to these conditions have been made of each of the attesting officers, who are unable to give any information on the subject. So it would seem that the Administration want men to join up in a Force where conditions are of no importance —unless, of course, it means the conditions regarding employment as now in force in Samoa.

A lot of British subjects are out of work, while the Government Depart ments are employing German nationals.

The Public Works Department has over 75 per cent, of its staff Germans, the New Zealand Reparation Estates, outside staff, over 50 per cent. None of these are wanted in the Defence Force.

I am, etc.,

Union Jack.

Apia, April 4.