Samoa Seeking

Labourers

Interest in Cook Islands

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, June 1.

AN inquiry was made recently in Rarotonga for labour for plantations in Western Samoa. Cocoa, copra and rubber plantations in that Territory are short of reliable labourers and the Samoans themselves are unsuitable.

The project was most popular here and about 600 local men are reported to have applied to go. The wages, 4/- a day plus food and lodging, are attractive to Raro tongans who, in spite of greatly increased prices, are still employed for as little as 3/- a day nett.

About 200 men already have left Raro tonga to work overseas in New Zealand and elsewhere. Any further reduction in the working male population would have a serious effect on Rarotonga’s only industry, fruit-growing.

Protests against any further labour being sent away officially were entered in an Island Council meeting and elsewhere.

No further announcement having been made by the Administration during the past two months it is presumed that these have had some effect.

It is interesting to note, in this respect, the difference between Samoans and their Rarotongan cousins. The Samoan is not enamoured of labouring for others, whereas, generally speaking, the Raro tongan would rather work for a boss than be an independent peasant farmer.

Mr. W. H. Brabant, of Fiji, has returned to the Colony after an extended visit overseas.