ISLAND INDUSTRIES

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 105, 6 May 1933, Page 14

ISLAND INDUSTRIES

VICEREGAL VISIT

COURTESY OF CHIEFS

(By Telegraph.) (Press Association's Speelar Rep.)v | AUCKLAND, May 5. In the course of his'visit to Samoa and the Cook Islands his Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, had the opportunity to study at first hand the economic and productive prospects of the mandated territory and dependencies. He was able to acquire special! knowledge covering the present and future developments as they affect both Europeans and natives. The Islands have not escaped the consequences of the prevailing economic conditions. The natives are not greatly affected, as their wants are few, and Nature, itself ; provides for necessities. The low prices of the principal 'products have the most serious effect on the European' trading community and planters. ■ The price of copra is at an unprofitable level, and there is no present prospect of improvement. There is a glut ?f Island fruit on the available markets. The banana trade with New Zealand is appreciated, but supplies could be enormously increased if the .demand; existed. ' The same may be said of orange crops. The only profitable product at the time is the cocoa bean, the quality of which is equal to the world's beat. Unfortunately the area on which it can be grows in Samoa is restricted,! and cannot bo enlarged. j His Excellency made; some inquiries into the possibility of adding to the products and industries of the Islands, particularly in regard to turig oil, the commercial exploitation of frangipane, and the growing of teak. Some fine teak trees were seen, aid these appeared to reveal the very reason ' why systematic planting land eventually milling should be a profitable proposition. ' ■ i x TIGHT AGAINST PEST. The fight against! the rhinoceros beetle in Samoa is carried on in those plantations where labour is directed and controlled. The natives, however, are not pursuing the common enemy in any systematic way. A few years ago there was a beetle day each week, the natives being required to devote the day to beetle-huttting. With the rise of the disaffection among the natives, this salutary practice lapsed with the most deplorable consequences on the native plantations. Should copra' again become i profitable many will bitterly rue their present' neglect, as regular and organised destruction ia the only defence j against this destroying insect. ' His Excellency was greatly impressed with the natural dignity and refinement of the native chiefs, whose fine courtesy and hospitality did much to add to the pleasure of the visit. Malieatoa and Mataafa, in jSamoa, and Makoa N;ui, Tinirau, at Efrotonga, w'ero the most considerate oi hosts and entertainers, and gave many evidences of goodwill. Makea'Niii is the son of the late Queen of thei Cook Group, who ceded the Islands ti> Great Britain. His daughter, Miss Tirj Tinirau, is a most amiable and* accomplished young lady. She was educated in New Zealand, and is a leader in musical and social life of Earoionga. -i j During the visit to the chief at Nasitoi in Western Samoa, his Excellency was presented witli a petition praying that the circulation in Samoa of a propagandist newspaper, published in Auckland, be prohibited. The petition represented that jhe paper, which is translated into thb Samoan language, causod trouble, not between the natives and Europeans/but among,the natives themselves. His j Excellency replied that he would bring the matter under the notice of the> Government.