SAMOAN SETTLERS’ TROUBLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2751, 4 March 1910, Page 5

SAMOAN SETTLERS’ TROUBLES.

PETITIONING GERMAN PARLIAMENT.

rPisit Press Association. | CHRISTCHURCH, March 3

An organisation known as the Commercial Union of German Samoa is forwarding a petition to the German Parliament. in which they ask for the removal of certain disadvantages which they state they labor under. The- petitioners consider that since Germany took over Samoa ten years ago, means of subsistence have become more difficult for a number of residents. They desire self-government. Prior to coming under the German flag they w'ore selfsupporting, and consider they could be so now. The Government's Advisory Board consists of seven planters and one merchant, who does not speak German. The petitioners hold that thos > members represent simply one particular class on the island, whose interests run contrary to those of most of the other residents. Members of tile Board should be elected periodically and publicly, and the proposed Government should have power to make laws concerning local government matters. The petitioners consider that the proposed Government could legislate more sensibly than a Board sitting at home, advised by a biassed government representative and his Advisory Jloard. Of 435 white residents 30 are Government employees, which petitioners consider too many and too expensive. If there was self-government, the income tax regulations recently issued would never have been enforced, and it is the main object of the petition to ask for rectifying of these unjust regulations. Petitioners state that of £OOO income tax and duties raised, the natives pay too small a sliarr. The petitioners’ taxes have risen about 800 nor cent since Germany took over Samoa. Unaer selfgovernment the natives, who export from 6000 to 7000 tons of copra per annum, could, by an export duty be made to furnish revenue. The money saved under the proposed system could be spent on harbor improvements, laying out of the city, etc. The preference given to large planters, to the detriment of small planters, should now be removed. Petitioners want the right to raise loans in order to instal a water supply and electricity, open up canals, build safe harbors, wharves, and a Customs house, and connect tlie island with the cable system of the world. Various other points are mentioned in the petition. Speaking in regard to this petition, Mr. Karl Joosten, German Consul in Christchurch, stated that all the agitation emanated from a small class of small traders. People with the greatest interest in Samoa, who invested their capital ten years ago, and brought the island to its present position, were not taking part in it. The white residents included a number of Englishmen, and all those were quite on the side of the Governor and the Advisory Board. The whole thing seemed an outcry from small traders, who wanted their taxes ie duced and the native taxes increased to an impossible extent. The- responsible pare of tlie white population was perfectlv in harmony with the present Gov err-or, Dr. Solf. The Governor, said Mr Joosten, was a most able man, am. lia-1 as much regard for Samoa as any ma." could have. Probably the agitators bad been influenced by hearing of the South African union in their aesire for self-government. It was ridiculous that 400 Europeans and 33,00 U natives should be granted sue l a - quest. Similar petitions bad before and a deputation liad gone .ome to the Reichstag, but it was <>ouhtful if any more notice would be taken ol the requests than on previous occasions