A —4

A division of the main exports between European and Samoan plantations for theyear ended 31st December, 1947, shows the following : —-

The roading scheme which was commenced last year with a view to giving thepeople of both islands ready access to suitable ports was designed not only to assist in enabling new areas to be brought under food crops for the rapidly increasing population, but also to stimulate increased production for export. This latter trend has already been apparent in those parts where the new roads are formed, and the Natives are busy planting both bananas and coconuts to the detriment of the labour-supply available to build the roads. The original estimated cost of the 143 miles of new roads was £BO,OOO, of which half is being met by the New Zealand Government. Roadmaking machinery of a total cost of £30,000 approximately has been purchased from the United Kingdom, the United States, and New Zealand in the approximate proportions of 2:1:1. Development of copra-production rests to some extent on the eradication of the coconut-beetle, which attacks the palms. The importation of parasites of the beetle has so far been unsuccessful, but measures for control of the pest continue to be vigorously pursued. Cocoa seedlings and rubber-seed from Trinidad and Malaya respectively are being imported by the Government in order to develop those branches of agriculture. Additional to the roading programme, a new hydro-electric scheme is in course of construction on the Fuluasou River with a view to increasing the power-supply in Apia and environs. Many inquiries from traders and planters have already been received concerning power for the operation of copra and cocoa drying and grading machinery, breadmaking machinery, milking-machines, &c. No major surveys relating to economic development are in progress or contemplated at present, but the existing administrative machinery is equipped for planning economic development. With regard to the economic equality provisions of Article 76 (d) of the United Nations Charter, protection is afforded to Native Samoans in the legal inalienability of Native land, and Samoans are not liable for estate, succession, or gift duties. Otherwise there are no derogations from the principle of economic equality as regards concessions or direct or indirect taxation. There is a preference in Customs ad valorem import duties of 11 per cent, in favour of British goods, but no restrictions as regards countries of origin of goods imported. Although a system of import licensing was instituted in the war period, this was more particularly to ensure supply of essential goods from exporting countries, and there is no impairment of the authority of the local Administration to permit such imports from any country from which they may be available.

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European. Samoan. I Total. Copra (tons) 1,844 16,337 18,181 Cocoa (tons) 935 1,443 2,378 Bananas (cases) 101,754 101,754