Copy.
Sir,
WELLINGTON,
22nd October, 1929.
40 END
I have the honour to inform you, on the
advice of my Ministers, that the Administration of Western
Samoa are anxious to arrange, if possible, for an extension
of the period of service of Chinese labourers in the Territory fran three years to four years.
2.
As the Hong Kong Government are aware, these
coolies are free labourers and not indentured, they are
entitled if they wish to be returned to Hong Kong on the
expiration of a period (at present) of three years, and
no coolie is allowed to remain for more than two such
periods. Any information that the Hong Kong Goverment
might desire as to the actual details of the arrangements
made with the coolies could be ascertained from Messrs.
Gibb, Livingston and Company, Limited, of Hong Kong, who
are the agents for this purpose of the Administration of
Western Samoa.
3.
His Majesty's Government in New Zealand would
greatly appreciate any assistance that the Hong Kong
Government may be able to render in the direction of
increasing the tenn from three years to four years.
I have, &c.,
(Sd.) Charles Ferguson,
His Excellency
The Governor of Hong Kong,
Hong Kong.
Governor-General.
.