SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19501, 3 December 1926, Page 10

SAMOA.

Sir, —From time to time there appears in your columns comments favourable to conditions in that delightfully situated little island. To the ordinary reader these may seem very pleasant indeed. But are things quite so rosy as reports make them out to be t Samoa has to compete with other lands where copra, cocoa, etc., are produced, and I think, too, on more scientific lines. The drop in the price of copra during the present year means a considerable reduction in income to the Reparation Estate* Board, It is reported, too, that the gentleman from whom much ;vas expected as regards rubber, has taken up other work. Can one wonder at this? It was reported some time ago that a certain Government official was, being sent to the East to obtain information regarding rubber. No doubt this gentleman is efficient in his own department, but as regards his mission, what knowledge can a Government official, not being a practical man, hope to impart to the planters if they are practical men ? Knowing many of them as I do they would smile none too quietly over the affair. To this may I add if there were no practical man who could be sent, then 1 am sorry for Samoa. The board in such a case ought to have tried to import a man who knew this work. It would hava cost money, but as a practical man he could have advised as to the best ways and ! means, which no Government official could be expected to do There are at present interesting experiments being carried on, which, should they develop as anticipated, will revolutionise tiie rubber planting industry. Here, again, Samoa must have practical men if it is to compete in the rubber market at all. Am I correct in saying the estates have been valued at something like £500,000? Well, what is required is a thoroughly practical man put in full charge of the lot, with the option of putting new men in charge of the estates should he consider this necessary. With the right man as manager a good return under ordinary conditions is' assured, and in a time of low prices he would also know bow to cut his coat to suit the cloth as far as is possible. If, on the other hand, the estates are to be run by those at the head (as they were some years ago), who know nothing of practical planting, then the sooner they are under private enterprise the better. There is no certainty that the price of copra, etc., may not go even lower; it is then that. private enterprise shows at its best against Government control. There is no doubt there are good prospects ahead for Samoa if managed on business lines. As to the internal administration, I leave this for others with more intimate knowledge, but on th« prohibition . subject my experience witb various races leads ine to the conclusion that drinking is principally i habit, and a costly one—to a great many'—at that There ire some "old timer!*" in Samoa who resent—as they term it—their ,liberty being taken away These, I understand, have had arrangements made for theirs If, when sending men to Samoa, Government would as far as is practicable send abstainers, it would assist them to carry on prohibition with -less friction and grumbling, so that in % few years the younger generation, knowing about liquor only by name, will be quite happy and contented without it. Pew native races love as for the stuff sold to them. Ex-Pi,axteb.