A. 5

37

Have you any idea what the Chinese do in their spare time?— They look after their gardens. They pay visits. To Sainoans?—No, amongst themselves chiefly, and, of course, they indulge in a bit of a gamble. 1 think they have quite a fair amount of their own work to do. Mr. Langen having retired, six Chinese labourers were questioned, through an interpreter. Hon. Sir R. H. Rhodes : Will you please explain to them that we have come to inquire into the labour conditions, for their benefit and our own knowledge? Which one has been the longest here?— This one : No. 1744. How long has he been here? —Thirteen years. Mr. S. G. Smith : How many are married to Samoan women?— None of these. Mr. Holland : Have any of them wives in China?— Only one. Mr. S. G. Smith : How long has he been here?— Eleven or twelve years. What is his number ?—3217. Mr. Young :He is the one who was sick. When did he first get sick? —Six months ago. We were told he was sick twelve months ago and was spitting blood. Did he spit blood when he was in China ?—No; he was sick in this country. Can he chop wood ten hours a day?—He can. Does he like doing that work? —Yes. It agrees with his health?— Yes, it is of benefit to his health. Does he contribute to the support of his wife in China? —At present—not very sufficient. Mr. Potter: Has he any children in China?— No. Mr. Young : How much does he send a year?—He cannot say definitely; sometimes £2, sometimes £1, per month. Would he like to bring his wife to Samoa ?—He would, not like it at present. What is his objection at present to bringing his wife here? —He has no money at present. If he had money would he like his wife here? —Yes, he would like to bring her if he had Sufficient money. Mr. Anderson : With regard to the sleeping-quarters, I would like to ask if the Chinese prefer to be all in one house, as they are apparently here, or whether they would prefer to be distributed over more houses? —They like to live separately, one in a cubicle. Would they sooner build their own or live in the one house?— They would like to do it, but they have not got time. With regard to their surroundings, T should like to ask whether they would like better drainage where they wash themselves: whether they are satisfied with it; whether it is better here than it was in China? —There is enough water; they are quite satisfied. Mr. Sidey : Are they satisfied generally with their conditions, or have they any grievances? —Their general conditions are good, but the Samoans do wrong to them. Whenever the Chinese go out the Samoans will ask them for food, and if they will not give it them the Samoans will assault them. The Chinese have to go out sometimes to buy their food—to town or to somewhere else. Hon. Sir R. 11. Rhodes : Do the Samoans ill-treat them now ?—Yes. One of them was assaulted only two months ago —several of them were. Because they did not give the Samoans rice?— They asked for tobacco. Mr. T. W. Rhodes : Did they complain either to the Chinese Consul or to the Commissioner about this treatment? —They complained to the master, but not to the Commissioner or the Consul. Was the trouble not caused by their wanting to go with the Samoan women ?—No. Hon. Sir R. H. Rhodes : Do they know the Consul is here to protect them?— They obstruct them in the road so they cannot get to the Consulate. Mr. Anderson : Are they better satisfied under the British Government and the British occupation than they were under the German Government?— The same; there is not much difference. Mr. Potter : Did they know there was a change of Government?— They know it. How much money would they get in China as compared with what they are getting here? — If they had to provide their own food at, £3 10s. a month they would get less than in China. Mr. Forbes : What would they work at in China?— Miscellaneous jobs. What would they get there?—lB dollars a month—Hong Kong dollars. Mr. Young: United States dollars or Mexican dollars? —Hong Kong money is the same as Mexican. Mr. Witty : How many hours a day do they work in China ? —Nine hours. Mr. Anderson : Did they thoroughly understand what they were coming to in Samoa when they were recruited in China ?—-They are only told to come here and work, but are not told of the sort of work. Mr. Wright : Were they told what pay they would get?— They were told 20 marks, German currency, gold, per month. Mr. Forbes : Do they want to go back to China when their time is up ?—lf they had about £15 they would go back. When they go back would they advise their friends that this is a good place to come to?— Yes. Mr. T. W. Rhodes : How long has this man (No. 3537) been here?— About seven years. What was the German mark worth seven years ago?—He did not know at that time, but he knows it now —25 cents. What wages did he receive when he first came here ?—2O marks. Mr. T. W. Rhodes : Would he like to remain on here in Samoa, or return to China?—lf he had about £15 he would go back.