PRODUCE OF ISLANDS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 134, 6 May 1933, Page 7

PRODUCE OF ISLANDS.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S INTEREST

DEVELOPMENTAL POSSIBILITIES

(By Telegraph.—Press Association’s Special Representative.) 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 tho mandated territory and dependencies. Ho 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 of 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 best. Unfortunately the area on which it can be grown in Samoa is restricted, and cannot be enlarged. His Excellency made some inquiries into the possibility of adding to the products and industries of the Islands, particularly in regard to tung oil, the commercial exploitation of frangipani, and the growing of teak. Some fine teak trees were seen, and these appeared to reveal the very reason why systmatic planting and eventually milling should be a profitable proposition. 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 bottle day each week, the natives being required to devote the day to beetle hunting. 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 profitable many will bitterly rue their present neglect, as regular and organised destruction is the only defence 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 Samoa, and Makea Nui Tinirau, at Rarotonga, were the most considerate of hosts and entertainers and gave many evidences of goodwill Makea Nui is the son of the late Queen of the Cook Group, who ceded the islands to Great Britain. His daughter, Miss Tiri 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 Rarotonga. ~• ■ . T . During the visit to the chief at Nasitoi in Western Samoa, His Excellency was presented with a petition praying that the circulation in Samoa of a propagandist newspaper, published in Auckland, be prohibited. The petition represented that the paper, which is translated into the Samoan language, caused trouble, not between the natives and Europeans, but among the natives themselves. His Excellency replied that he would bring the matter under the notice of the Government.