SAMOAN TRADE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11497, 18 April 1923, Page 4

SAMOAN TRADE

DOMINION LOSING GROUND AUSTRALIA WELL IN THE COMMERCIAL LEAD. N.Z.’S “BAD REPUTATION.” ~ s“Samoa and the Pacific*’’ was the subject of an interesting address given bv Colonel R. W. Tate, C.M.G., C.B.E , at the Rotary Club luncheon yesterdav. Rotarian A. F. Roberts (president) said he was specially pleased to preside, as he was associated' with him for a considerable time during Hie war at headquarters. He had returned from Samoa to take up an important post in New Zealand. Colonel Tate said that despite four strenuous years in Sa.moa he did feel strong and we Ik There was so much, to talk about , that it was difficult tc know what aspect to present: Since his return he had wondered if people, were interested in Samoa. They cop Id not afford to be apathetic. The country was’ governed under a mandate, under a. trust, to the islands and its inhabitants. It whs different to the old system of annexation, and although notable successes had been achieved in Samoa they could not afford to slacken up. If there was trade to be done there, whv should not New Zealand do it? The volume of trade was consistent, and for the 'four years rn to 1923 imports amounted to £1.455,000 and exports £1,526.000, Or nearly equal. At present Australia was doing the largest share of the business, except in meat. It should bo possible in many instances where New Zealand cam© second to capture: that trade. Perhaps tliev could not. ‘Bet the flour trade, as New Zealand Sou* would not keep in the tropics. Hut New Zealand should hb able to take, the lead, as in 1921 her exports to Samoa were £130,000. against £IOO,OOO from Australia. New Zealand was losing much of her trade to Australia, and was likely to lose more. x WHAT HAVE WE TO SELL? New Zealand had a bad reputation in the Pacific! There were certain defects Which could and should be remedied.. The Dominion merchants, sent few. if any, catalogues, to Samoa .to show what they could sell. Australia had several travellers going round Fiji, Tonga-, and Samoa. New Zealand also had a reputation for bad-packing, and seldom got a clean receipt from the shippdnir company for goods received. Modern methods of packing were not adopted; Australia baled and pressed her chaff: New Zealand sent it in bags; and Australian chaff was also £4 cheaper. These disabilities should be removed, for New Zealand 1 should, be doing the bulk of the trade by direct steamers.- Samoa could supply copra .for oil. cocoa, fruit, kapoo, and many other things, and us the islands were several hundred md.es nearer New Zealand the Dominion people should serionsTv consider, the economic position. The climate was delightful, and ! he fiad pot known vt to fall below 76 degrees during the fpur years he had been there: The scenery was delightful. _ . ■ ■ The speaker described the customs of the people, and added that the tional game was cricket, but with as manv as 130 aside. It was.played with, a large bat and in bush surroundings, and the massive natives could swipe the ball a tremendous distance. It became neoessarv to pass a law -confining -the nlaving of cricket to two days per week,? Wednesdays and Saturdavs, as the natives left their work and Would pin v until all food supplies were consumed. In conclusion, he assured the comppnv that' a visit to Samoa would be well •Worth while..