TRADE OF SAMOA

Hokitika Guardian, 9 September 1927, Page 4

TRADE OF SAMOA

AN ADVERSE BALANCE. WELLINGTON, Sept. 7. For the first time since 1922 an adverse balance in connexion with the external trade of Western Samoa is revealed in the annual report for the past year of the Department of Industries and Commerce. 'The lo«s is likely to be still greater during tbe current year (though this is not stated in tbe report), owing to the fact that in their present disturbed state the natives are doing scarcely any work on their plantations.

The Departmental report states that imports from Western Samoa in 1926 were valued at £324,940, and exports at £320,783, making a total trade of £645,723, as compared with £725.377 for tbe previous year. Tlie United Kingdom is Samoa’s best customer, goods to the value of £141.000 having been scut to tbe Old Country in 1926. Germany took goods to the value of £78.099. tbe United States of America. £17,000. and Australia. £16.000. New Zealand bought £4OOO worth of goods. The Dominion uses only a very small quantity of the' classes of goods exported by Samoa, and the amount purchased in 1920 was made up chiefly of cocoa beans. Samoa purchased more of her requirements from New Zealand in 1926 than from any other country, and tlie. report says it is gratifying to note that the Dominion’s portion of the import trade is constantly improving.

The rubber industry is being icestnblishcd. The export of rubber ceased in 1918. The greatest quantity ever exported was in 1917, when 70 tons wore shipped. Last year 33) tons, valued at £6702, were sold.