TRADE WITH SAMOA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 38, 8 November 1917, Page 8

TRADE WITH SAMOA

WAR CAUSES DIFFICULTY. Some months ago the Minister of Defence drew the attention of the chambers of commence throughout New Zealand to a report by the Administrator of Samoa, who pointed out that the trade of the island was tending increasingly to go to Australia instead of to this country., i'lie Minister suggested that the chambers should give this matter consideration, with the object of checking the loss of trade that has long belonged to 'New Zealand. . The subject was mentioned at the last meeting of the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. A report was rend from the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, pointing out that several causes tended to curtail trade with Samoa under present conditions. The difficulties experienced by importers owing to ihe shortage of shipping ] lavo re _ duced local stocks and 60 have handicapped* traders in dealing with Samoa, whore the white settlers and the natives generally require goods in exchange for their products. Another factor has been the impossibility of shipping copra from New Zealand to tho Home markets. No ppaco is allocated for copra by the Shipping Committee, and supplies havo accumulated in Auckland and Samoa. Tho Australian Overseas Shipping Committeo has allotted some space for copra, and 60 the Samoans have sent their goods , to Sydney. The report referred also to the lack of shipping communication between New Zealand and Samoa under war conditions. Tho ships that used to engage in tho Island trade have been taken oil', and tho present arrangements are regarded as very unsatisfactory by the Auckland merchants, who formerly had a substantial trade with Samoa. The Auckland Chamber emphasised the importance of securing an adequate shipping service between New Zealand and file islands after the war.

Tho Council of the Wellington Chamber took no action in the matter. It appears that under present conditions no improvement in the shipping eervice can be obtained.