TRADE WITH SAMOA

Otago Witness, Issue 3314, 19 September 1917, Page 17

TRADE WITH SAMOA

GRADUALLY SLIPPING AWAY. NEW ZEALAND MERCHANTS' NEGLECT. (Fbom Odb Own Cobbespondent.) AUCKLAND, September 14. An extract from a despatch received by the Governor-general from tho Administrator of Samoa, having- reference to trade relations between New Zealand and Samoa was to-day received by the Aucklana Chamber of Commerce from the Minister of Defence. The extract stated, inter alia: " The excess of exports over imports of £44,000 shows a material gain to the territory, as the book deposits have increased by £42,577, and tho administration has reduced its indebtedness to the Government of New Zealand for gold and silver coin supplied in 1915 by approximately £B6OO. Although New Zealand is a poor purchaser for produce of the territory, close on £50,000 is remitted to her by cash balances for surplus imports, and this is exclusive of the value of rations and forage sent from New Zealand for the use of tho garrison. It is remarked that it is unfortunate that business men of New Zealand are so slow in developing trade with Samoa which so largely deals with them in sales of produce. Unless more energy is shown by them they will undoubtedly lose the trade, and the United States and Australia will correspondingly benefit. The trade of one Auckland firm will show how the trade of New Zealand is being lost. This firm, although it has no representatives in Samoa, has practically all the native trad© in tinned beef, which amounts roughly in value to £12,000 per annum, or more than one-sixth of the total imports and moro than one-ninth of the total New Zealand Samoan trade. Yet during tho last few months this firm has been fulfilling only from 30 per cent, to 70 per cent, of orders sent. Three or lour storekeepers are now endeavouring to procure supplies from Queensland."