SAMOAN TRADE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19171, 30 November 1927, Page 13

SAMOAN TRADE.

ALL-ROUND INCREASE IN EXPORTS[THE PRESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, November 29. There has been an all-round increase in otir exports this year, declared Mr H. Bates, Collector of Customs at Apia, Western Samoa, who arrived at Auckland by the Tofua. Mr Bates, who is an Aucklander, is revisiting his homo town after an absence of three years, being on three months' holiday leave. He is accompanied by Mrs Bates.' For the twelve months ending on December 31st, Samoa will have exported' 13,000 tons of copra, according to Mr Bates. Although not a record, this amount shows a considerable increase as compared with the figures for 192<j, and had it not been for the recent trouble in Samoa, it would probably have reached 15.000 tons. 'Hie greater portion of the copra from Samoa is shipped to Home and Continental markets. It is estimated that the amount of cocoa exported during the present year will total 800 tons. Last year only 360 tons were shipped, but this decrease was partly due to the hurricane which swept many of the groups in the Westr ern Pacific during January of that year. The figures for 1927. however, tire above the average. "We have also shipped 160 tons of rubber," added Mr Bates. "The rub-ber-growing industry in Samoa is yet in its infancy, as exporting was started only last year, with a total of 36 tons." Prospects for the coming season are bright in the opinion ot Mr Bates. The new Government motorship, Maui Pomare, is expected to commence running in the Islands' trade about March or April next, and growers are expecting a big increase in the export of fruit, chiefly bananas. On the subject of the recent troublas in Samoa, Mr Bates has little to say. Since the sitting of the recent Riyal Coni mission, everything had been quiet, all the natives having returned to their villages. The finding of the Commission was awaited with interest.