GERMAN SAMOA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2718, 25 January 1910, Page 3

GERMAN SAMOA.

OPPRESSIVE TAXATION

| l’nu Piis-sa Association, i AUCKLAND, Jan. 26

Air. A. D. Fairbairn, an Amermio journalist, who arrived bv the ’Frisco 'steamer Tymeric, says that sniartng under what they declare to be un) i>_f [ and wholly unnecessary taxation, the j English, American, and many German residents of German .Samoa have formed a secret alliance to obtain redress. They declare that Governor Soil and fliis Council have exercised most arbitrary power, and have inflicted burdens on white men that have become unbearable. Everything is taxed from a scrubbing brush to a buggy and pair. The English and American residents, producing nearly all the material wealth of the islands, have absolutely uo say in the Government. It is true two Englishmen have seats in the Council, which “assists” Governor Saif in the administration of affairs, but their position is a mere empty honor, as they do none of the governing. Despairing of obtaining any consideration at the hands of the local Government, the . oberburdened taxpayers are seriously contemplating sending a delegation to Berlin, where relief could be sought at the hands of the German Chancellor. Questioned regarding the feeling of the natives, Mr. Fairbairn said: “The natives are grumbling over the excessive exactions of the Government, and many of them declared in my presence tilt they would welcome the return ot Great Britain to the islands.”