SAMOAN TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 42, 17 August 1929, Page 10

SAMOAN TRADE

INCREASE LAST YEAR

TAXES FALL OFF

RESULT OF THE UNREST

Despite the native unrest, the trading position in Samoa is satisfaetorv.

The Samoan Report mentions a remarkable increase in trade for the calendar year 1928, and says that prices have continued fairly satisfactory for the principal export commodities. The total trade for the year was £748,728 (made up of imports £326,553, and exports £422,175), as against a total of £640,347 for 1927 (made up of imports £304,369, and exports £335,978). The climatic conditions for island produce have been favourable.

In regard to exports, the report says that increases are shown in copra and cocoa. Rubber has declined, not in quantity, but in. value, owing to the heavy fall in the market price of this commodity. Bananas have been exported for the first time during this year, and considerably swell the value of exports.

The export of copra for the calendar year. 1928 was 15,989 tons, valued at £319,259, as compared with 11,665 tons, valued at £242,672, for 1927. It may be noted that there was a carry-over of approximately 1300 tons from 1927, and, as practically all copra on hand at the end of 1928 was shipped, this will partly account for the increase ,in the quantity of this product exported. The cocoa exported during 1928 was 959 tons, valued at £69,507, as compared with 792 tons, yalue £.48,216, for the same period of 1927. The high value in the world's markets has been maintained during the whole year. Rubber has slightly increased in quantity exported during the year, but owing to the low market price the value has considerably decreased. The amount exported during 192S was 167 tons, value £17,268, as compared with 158 tons, value £24,802, for the year 1927. The export of bananas was inaugurated in May, 1925, on the arrival of the Maui Pomare, but owing to the spasmodic running of the vessel and the small carrying capacity the export has not increased as anticipated. It is fully realised that it will require a more frequent and regular service to make a success *of this enterprise. The quantity. exported to 31st December, 1928, was 22,761 cases and 10S bunches, valued at £11,219. Re-exports amount to £2635 for 1928, as compared with £'18,229 (-including £16,164 bullion) for 1927.

TAX REVENUE DROPS.

Dealing with the political position, the report says that a settlement of the native unrest has not yet been realised, and. as a result the activities of the Native Department have been greatly hampered and developmental work has been suspended. Institutions set up in out-districts such as district councils and 'various committees have been undermined and unable to function, and it is now proposed to" make considerable reductions in the number of native officials. There has been a revival of the High Court (Native Department) presided over by Commissioners of the High Court, and this Court is again functioning in Upolu and Savai.'i. An important session of the Land and Titles Commission was held ,in November with satisfactory results. , There is a deficiency in native tax revenue, owing to the native unrest and passive resistance, but this deficiency is less severe than during the previous year; a considerable saving in expenditure has been effected, the amount exponded in Upolu alone being £.2000 less than estimated.

No Fono of Faipules has been held, except to welcome the new Administrator on his arrival in May, 1928, but on several occasions fonos~of officials have been held in both islands to discuss matters of policy in native affairs. It is now proposed to suspend the Faipules for the time; the Faamasinos are also to be suspended, as they have been performing no duty recently, except in a few cases. European district officers are now being appointed to perform tho duties of the district councils and tho Faipules in the various districts; and it is hoped that this change in system will lead on the one hand to a stronger control of the native population, and on the other to a closer touch between the Administrator and the individual native.

There were 965 Chinese and 147 Melanesian labourers on '31st March, 1929, compared with 935 and 146 respectively a year previously.