WESTERN SAMOA TRADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19292, 3 April 1926, Page 10

WESTERN SAMOA TRADE.

STEADY EXPANSION SHOWN. COMPETING FOR BUSINESS. ADVICE TO NEW ZEALAND. GREATER EFFORTS ADVOCATED. The trade statistics published by the collector of customs, Apia, afford some useful and interesting information for New Zealand merchants and manufacturers. Generally speaking, the external trade of the mandated territory of Western Samoa has shown a very steady expansion during the past three years. The 1925 figures are the highest on record except for the two boom years 1919 and 1920. The following table shows the imports and exports for the last three years : "Imports. Exports. Total Trade. £ £ a 192.'! . . 2C8.881 288,771 537,055 1924 . . 274,803 3G1.418 636.221 1925 . . 845.959 373,383 725,377 A considerable improvement in the price of copra, as well as an increased tonnage shipped in 1925, maintained exports at a satisfactory figure. notwithstanding a marked falling off in the quantity, and value, of cocoa. For the first time since 1918 rubber has been exported from Samoa. The trade in this product was comparatively important for a number of years, and it is hoped that the three tons shipped in 1925, and valued at £1165, will initiate a successful resuscitation of the rubber industry. The exports of cocoa and copra in the past three years were as follow : Cocoa. Copra. Tons. Value Tons. Value. 1923 . 221 £12.787 13.484 * 269,995 1924 . . 101R £57.958 13.202 £ 284.272 1925 . . G64 £39,026 14,519 £331,274 The countries to which Samoa lias sold most of its products in the past three years are :-- 19"T 1921. 1925. £• ' £ £ United Kingdom 41.876 109,273 104,031 Now Zealand .. 0.393 7,<b 11,583 Australia .. 7,092 104 - 758 United States .. 29.013 7,890 20.407 Holland .. .. 30 5(59 21,906 34.244 Germany . . . 168.553 37.513 44,410 Unknown European 157 0-17 porta . . • • l 01 > — One of the most noticeable features of the import trade is the remarkable increase during the past three years in the value of goods purchased from the United Kingdom. The value increased from £19,788 in 1923 to £63.885 in 1925. Eoom For Expansion. The progress made by New Zealand has been only fairly satisfactory, the total value of goods sold being £77,782 in 1923 and £91,542 last ear. Therestill appears to bo much room for expansion. Australia still heads the list, goods to the value of £103,748 being purchased in Australia last year, and she appears to be maintaining her position. Canada and the United States are apparently every opportunity to increase their share of the trade. Fiji is also competing strongly. The total imports last year increased considerably. They were over £71,000 more than in 1924 and £77.000 more than in 1923. An analysis of the principal items imported by Samoa shows that New Zealand has lost a considerable portion of her trade in cement. The. trade in this commodity has been diverted to the United Kingdom, which supplied it to the value ~f over £I3OO out of a total of £I6OO during 1925. The Trade in Foodstuffs.

In foodstuffs Now Zealand holds its own, securing hv far tho proportion of the trade in bacon and hams, Imtter. cheese, fresh fish, fresh meats, tinned meat, kegged irioat, tinned milk and fresh vegetables. Some noticeable items that might engage the attention of New Zealand manufacturers and merchants are biscuits, preserved fish, flour, jams and jellies, and preserved vegetables. New Zealand also seems to be losing its proportion of the coal trade. If ,is maintaining its business in confectionery, but must watch its position closely as tho United Kingdom and Australia are both keenly interested. it is chiefly in drapery apparel and textiles that the United Kingdom bus made rapid strides in trade with Samoa. NewZealand and Australia have practically stood still and the total inCn.".aso in imports in these items, which has practically doubled recently, has all gone to the United Kingdom. Similar remarks apply to boots and shoes and fancy goods. Australian Furniture. New Zealand manufactures excellent furniture from timber and from wicker ware, and yo.t Australia secured the great bulk of business in this line last year. Tho same applies in connection with leather and leather goods, portmanteaux and trunks, imported by Samoans, who purchase four times as much in the way of leather and leather goods from Australia as from New Zealand. In metal goods and genera! hardware and paints and colours tho United Kingdom easily leads, and the tendency appears to bo for a general extension of trade in this line, especially in United Kingdom products. Tho timber trade appears fo be going to America. Imports from New Zealand were £2500: from United States of America £B3OO.

Tho Department of Industries and Commerce is of opinion that careful inquiries, persistent efforts and greater personal touch with the Samoans on the part of New Zealand manufacturers and merchants, would result in a far larger proportion of Saraoan trade, especially that which is now going to Australia and Fiji, coming to Now Zealand. The department will endeavour to answer inquiries, or ascertain from the Administration at Apia, particulars that may be helpful to any New Zealand interests desirous of securing an extension of business with Western Samoa.