SAMOAN TRADE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10277, 12 May 1919, Page 3

SAMOAN TRADE

INTERESTING FIGURES \ THE ISLAND'S PRINCIPAL CUSTOMERS. An interesting review of trade conditions in Samoa is contained in the annual report of the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.

The following figures show the total trade of the territory of Samoa for the years 191*-i917 (inclusive):—

•Statistics not yet available. The following table shows the volume of trade of the principal countries trading with Samoa for the calendar years

The imports from New*-Zealand include specie-silver, 1916, ,£10,509; 1917, .£16,600. Thn principal items of import from New Zealand were potted oud preserved meats, sugar, provisions, soap, drapery,, timber, and tobacco. The chief items of export from Samoa are cocoa, copra, and -rubber. - 1917. 191 S. . Tons. £ Tons. £ Cocoa ......... 1.207 69,549 7!)5 '54.1C9 Copra - 8,992 230,971 9,370 246,576 Rubber 70 14,087 17 2,850 The United Kingdom, Australia. New Zealand, and the United States of America share in the trade in cocoa. The United States is the largest buyer of copra and Australia of rubber. SHIPPING RETURNS. » - ' 1916. 1917. No. of Tons of No. of Tons of Vessels. Cargo. Vessels. Ca.r?o. British .... 73 3371 38 3,537 Foreign ... 32 5869 58 7,610 105 924.0 9G 11,153 During the war period New Zealand's expor tbusiness with Samoa has been restricted, chiefly owing to the limitation of local stocks, 'and the scarcity of men available to handle the business. But it is hoped that as trading conditions again become normal, organised effort will be made to build up a large export trade to Samoa. The extension of industries in the Dominion using vpyretable oils (soap and candle making) will probably result in larger quantities of c°rra bein gimported from Samoa. Trade, however, will tend to go to the countries which are likelv to purchase products of Samoa. Much will depend also on the- shipping facilities available. The United States of America provides a market for the staple products" of Samoa.; and freight has been availably in the shape of.sailing vessels bringing-ca.se oil from ; . San Francisco to ■AAu'stral-.a" and New Zealand norts. and obtaining- back loading from th elslands.

Total Year. Imports. Exports. Trade. X £ £ 19U ..... .... 236,239 220,519 456,732 1315 ..... 307,091 262,389 ■ 49a ,430 1915 .... 178,840 235,415 414,253 1017 ...: 301.173 320,444 621,617 1918 : * 3C6.C40 —

iaie-i9i; :— 11)16. 1917. Im- Ex- Im- Exports, ports, ports, ports. Country. £ £ £ £ United King5.833 21,717 3,393 — Australia ... 65,03!) 58,412 91,032 43,492 New Zealand 75,416 27,801 103,432 i'5,lt2 United States of America 37,313 122,212 107,665 247,636 Other coim7,046 5,243 9,201 4,224 191.240 235,415 317,773 320,4-44