No Taxes For Samoans
p. 43 · Read in the full issue
SOME doubt seems to exist in New Zea land concerning an “education tax” on Samoans. The Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) said recently that it was never intended to levy a tax on the natives to provide a fund to send Samoan scholars to New Zealand to complete their education.
The appeal, he said, had been made by the Faipule for funds for the very worthy object of assisting toward the cost of having Samoan pupils attend schools in New Zealand, but it was known to the Faipule and to subscribers to be on a voluntary basis. He had announced to the press in February last that the Samoan Administration would assume full financial responsibility for this object, while welcoming, of course, any contri butions toward it.
He felt sure that the Samoans knew quite clearly those purposes to which they subscribed voluntarily, as they well knew there were no direct taxes payable by
them, except in a few cases such as building tax or trading licence fees. (See also page 13 this issue.)