4
Government any such extension of the term would
no doubt be quotea as a precedent for similar
action in the case of other Pacific Islands which
are allowed to recruit Chinese labour in Hong
Kong.
}
Nauru, Ocean Island, and Makatea ).
As regards the insertion of the proposed
new clause in the contracts to be signed by
emigrants on arrival in Western Samoa, the 0.A.G.
of Hong Kong recognises that to some extent a point
of principle is involved. His enquiries elicited
the rather disturbing fact that the insertion of
the proposed clause was intended to regularise
a practice which had already been in force for some
time, (although not appearing as one of the terms
ate).
of agreement on the basis of which recruitment of
Chinese labour in Hong Kong for Western Samoa had been
authorised by the 0.A.G. and the Secretary of Stat
In order not to conflict with the provision in the
Samoa Free Labour Ordinance which prohibits punishment
by fine for a breach of contract of service, the
method of recovery of the 9d a day is not by way of
fine but by deduction from future wages and recovery
is not enforceable by imprisonment. The Western
Samoa Auministration aeclare it to be essential to
maintain this mild deterrent against a tendency
towards unreasonable absence from work. The 0.A.G.
explains that in Samoa the pay of casual labour is
often high and the temptation to malinger may be
great, while particularly on cocoa plantations the
temporary absence of his workmen may at times cause
an