RUBBER IN SAMOA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 10 September 1925, Page 10

RUBBER IN SAMOA.

REVIVAL OF THE INDUSTRY. RESULT OF THE HIGH PRICES. The rise in the prue ox rubber has caused considerable interest in and around Apia (says the Auckland Herald’s correspondent). The rubber Plantations in Samoa ha.e bec-n lying idle for some years now, and people were all chary of taking up rubber again, owing to the low market price, and the cost of production which was reckoned at anything from 2s Cd to 4 s a lb. As soon as the market showed a substantial rise, the Administrator, Sir George Richardson, obtained a report as to cost of production from Mr. R. H. Paterson, late of the Western Samoa. Estates, Ltd., and formerly a rubber planter in the Malay States.

Mr. Pateison’s estimate seemed too good to be true, as he undertook to land rubber from the p.nutation on to the' wliarf at Apia at is 2d a lb. When asked, about the' low cost Mr. Paterson guaranteed to demonstrate that lie was right if given the opportunity. The Administration" airanged for an experiment on the Aleisa Rubber plantation. Tne necessary labour was supplied, and although none of the coolies knew anything'of this industry. My. 'Paterson undertook to teach them and produce the goods. Success of Experiment. A visit was paid this month to Aleisa where the experiment is being carried out under the supervision and instruction of the expert. Forty acres of the rubber plantation have been cleared, the trees tapped, and the rubber put through the machines. The trees are in good condition, and after the long rest thev June had they will give splendid results for a long time to come. Judging by the quantity of rubber that ,has been produced during the short time tapping has been in progress, there is every reason to believe that rubber can be produced here for export at the rate of Is 2d to Is 4d a lb. Mr. Paterson is even sanguine, that the cost can be brought down to tinder Is, with the labour properly trained and with proper organisation. The rubber trees in Samoa a e claimed to be the finest in the world, and as, there are about 200,00') of these trees ready to tap. the rubber boom means much to Samoa.

Large Government Plantation

The' experiment in A’eisa was carried out with a view to working the large Government rubber plantation at Sol iiu a where there are 70,000 tiees leady to tap. The rise in rubber bids fair to bring much increased activity to these islands, and with a steady copra market and cocoa bringing high prices, Samoa should have a bright future in store. • Aren who study! markets and conditions with the rises and depressions that seem to come at stated periods, assert that Samoa is entering upon a definite wave of five solid years of prosperity.