CO129-522-9 Chinese labour in Western Samoa 22-10-1929 - 19-1-1931 — Page 38

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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.

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