SAMOAN TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 51, 29 August 1934, Page 5

SAMOAN TRADE

DBOP IN VALUES

INCREASE IN VOLUME

The depressed condition of the world's markets is reflected in the trado figures for Western Samoa, according to the report prepared by the Administrator which, was presented to the House of Eepresent.atives yesterday.

The report states that the value of tho exports fell by 2.76 per cent., in spite of the fact that there was a marked increase in the volume.. Tho figures for copra for the last eight years are a graphic indication of tho downward trend, of the market. They are as follows:- — . Tons. ' Value. 1!)»7 ■ 11,06*"! 212,072 ]!)2S 15,55!1 :J19,259 15129 J2.941 205-.530 1930 12,283 ' 106,221 1031 ...... 11,062 109,220 1932 ............ 10,879 105.09S 1933 ............ 11,526 .101,3-17 For cacao and bananas, tho other two chief exports, the figures are as follows: — ■ '•■■■■'■.•. , Cacao. - Bananas. * Tons. ■ Value. Cases. Value. . r '.■■•£.■■ £ 1827 .... 7!) V 48,210 * —, — 192S .... 0.5!) ' .09,507 . 22,813 11,219 1929 .... 077 ~ "46,256- n:),ori2 21,0-10 1930 ... 1,007,, (i 1.,291 9.1,507 41,250 1931 B20 -t S-1.254. 5."i,231 38,022 1932 823 ■'■'■ 49,712 06,715 20,010 1933 i 599 • . 41.513 81,983 20,999 The total'value's of :imports and exports are as follows: — -'.■•/ ; Total • Exports. Imports. trade. ■'■■ , ''■"': '.:&'.■'■& ' £' • ■ 1!I27 •'.":..■." 335,978 •' SoJ,3ij9 010,317 192S ..... 422,175 «28,ii."iS 748,728 1929 .....: 293.i'3S 2SS.S4!) 552.757 1930 .: ~'284,515' 275,355 550,870 11131 194,447. Hi4,U."io 359,3!17 1932 . 153,02S 150,902 -333,930 1933 1T31537 IuO.SuO 324,093 "The scheme for tlio marketing of bananas in New Zealand commenced in May, 1925, when.' tho New Zealand Government motor-vessel Maui Pomaro was brought into the run between Samoa and Now Zealand ports," states tho report. "To tho end of 1933 a total of 406,263 cases, valued at £160,155, was exported. Growers dispose of their fruit for a fixed price to the administration, which then ships and undertakes full responsibility for its dispbsal in New Zealand, the growers having no further pecuniary, interest in'the particular shipment. "As a result ''of' private- shipments from Samoa by other vessels having an unsettling effect on the market, an export tax of 2s 6d per case was imposed to protect tho young industry. This duty applied'to' all fruit shipped and was paid by the shippers, whether Government or private, a refund of 2s 3d being allowed oil all fruit shipped by the administration, tho remaining 3d being retained to cover cost of administration. Tho net effect is to give a protection of 2s 3d a case to shipments made by the administration. The good reputation' established by Samoan bananas in the" .New Zealand market is Reflected in the increase of over 15,000 cases exported iv 1033 as compared with the previous year."