SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 25, 30 January 1926, Page 5

SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

VITAL NEED FOR FRUIT SHIP. ADMINISTRATOR'S STATEMENT. •HEMES FOR ENLARGING ESTATES. Ge- .eral Sir George Richardson. Aduiiniftrr'or of Samoa, left Auckland this morning by the Tofua. During the two moLUis he was in New Zealand. Sir Geor c devoted most of his time dealing with matters concerning the welfare of the andated territory of which he is in charge. Interviewed just before he left. George said that be was well satisfied with the results of his visit. The fact that he had been able to meet personally, and discuss Samoan affairs with Sir Francis Bell. Minister of External Affairs, had enabled many matters to be satisfactorily and quickly settled, which otherwise would have involved much correspondence, and, perhaps, delay. He ; was very optimistic as to the future nt Samoa, 'and expressed the opinion that the recent storm would not affeet_ seriously the commercial progress of the territory—that it would mean merely a temporary check for a few months. Tropical 'islands had their bad seasons, as well as New Zealand, he remarked. Methods for Improving Trade. '•There are three chief ways of improving the trade and commerce of Samoa." saTd Sir George. "The first is by enlarging the New Zealand Estates, that is by clearing bush and planting new areas. The second is by increased activity on the part of the natives, to develop their lands and cultivate other exports besides copra, namely cotton and fruit. _ The ; third and most important way is by establishing a fruit trade with New Zealand, such a trade being impossible at I the present time owing to the distance j between Samoa and the Dominion being 1 too great to permit of fruit being landed in good condition unless it is carried in : a specially fitted carrying ship, which is not now available. ■■I am very pleased to note the increasing interest "shown by the people of New ! Zealand in Samoan affairs,"' continued the General, "and this. I say, is due to a sympathetic Press, which has been the means of reminding New Zealanders that they are the gtiardians of the Samoan race and. as such, have a responsible part to play, as they had in the past, and still have, for the Maoris. "I leave New Zealand with confidence, knowing that the Government and the people are supporting mc to the utmost to represent them in playing that part in Samoa. Schemes Approved tiy Government. '"I am going back to lnititate schemes which have been approved by the Government, for enlarging and improving the New Zealand Estates and which. I hope. will be the means of making Samoa financially independent of the Dominion in a few }-ears. I also believe that the natives will continue to progress and will ; try. subject to occasional bad seasons, to ! excel their excellent record of productioia for the past year, for they are now beginning to realise that work brings its reward."' But, said Sir George, lie was not able Ito go back to Samoa and say to the . natives what he would like to say to them, to wit: "If you will use your waste j lands to cultivate large quantities of the ■ splendid bananas which you grow now for your own use, also pineapples, and I other fruits and vegetables for export, we will send them to the New Zealand ' people who want to help you and who will buy them. This will bring you more i money and enable you to improve your j villages and your water supplies and to ! purchase many things beneficial to your ( true development." I Sir George asserted that the need for a proper carrying ship to carry on a fruit trade with the Dominion, was a vital I necessity for the progress of the Terrii tory. It was a matter that would have ,to be dealt with very soon. J "It will be a happy day."' concluded the [ General, "'when I can tell the Samoan ' people that the long hoped for ship is ! coming. I shall also be pleased to see j this means of giving New Zealand its , fair share of the £700.000 annual trade jin Samoa, which it does not receive at present."