SAMOA’S FUTURE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 November 1924, Page 5

SAMOA’S FUTURE

SLUMP CONDITIONS PASSED. TOBACCO GROWING. GREAT PROSPECTS. (By Telegraph.—Special to Star.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 14. Reports from the Samoan Administration, received by the External Affairs Department, show that the Crown estates have completely recovered from slump conditions. When heavy losses were made these, estates were submitted for private leasing, but no decision was arrived at, and the probability is that the estates will be again placed on the market. The improved price of oopfa and reduced working expenses have enabled good profits to be made during the last year. The latest quotation from the High Commissioner ghows, that Samoan copra is worth £3l 5s a . ton. An improved method of copra production, by cutting out excessive shade, 'has quadrupled the product from the trees. This improvement is shared by private plantations, and its substantial natur© is evident from the fact that for seven months of the present year 775 tons of copra have been exported and 80 tons asp m store, compared with last year’s total export of under 300 tons. An unusually heavy crop of kapoc has been raised, and an experimental shipment is being .made to New Zealand. Efforts ar© also being made to introduce the tobacco plant into these islands, as it is believed the natives could effectively cultivate small areas, which in the aggregate would provide an appreciable addition to Samoan exports. An officer of the Administration when on furlough in New Zealand, obtained seeds of tobacco plants grown m Hawke’s Bay and Nelson, these have grown so well in Samoa hhat_ photographs have been sent to the Minister of External Affairs, showmg tobacco plants 9ft. Gin. in height with leaves 28in. by 14in One pari Ocularly fine plant has leaves 32in by' 19in. ' J