FOOD SUPPLIES AT SAMOA. PERIOD OF DESTITUTION TIDED OVER.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 430, 21 December 1889, Page 4

FOOD SUPPLIES AT SAMOA. PERIOD OF DESTITUTION TIDED OVER.

The natives have now (sayB the " Samoan Times ") fairly tided over the destitution whioh many of them had bo bear this last six months. Planting food was generally carried out all over the Island 3 after the peaeearrangements entered into between the contending parties, which were principally effected through the influence of Admiral Kimberley and the consuls and has now borne good results. Taro, bananas, and other native articles of diet, sufficient for the requirements of the natives, are now available. This will bo welcome news to the people of the Australian colonies and New Zealand, who have so generously asbisted by donations of biscuits and rice at a time when distress was so apparonb in Samoa. During the depression of the natives, many contradictory reports were forwarded to the colonies wi:h reforenco to the destitution in the island?, which to strangers must have appeared confusing and inexplicable, several correspondents here stating there was very little distress amongst the natives, and others most positively asserting that the scarcity of food was a fact beyond a doubt, and that many natives, especially the aged, were in a starving condition. Notwithsanding these extra ordinary contradictions, the people of the colonies gave us the benefit of the doubt, and sent on their donations. Subscription lists were opened, and liberally respondod to. Huncreds of pounds were subscribed, and more would be forthcoming. Arrangements were made for sending a still larger supply of provisions, which would unquestionably have been carried out if not prevented by the report received from H.M. Consul in Apia, "That the natives were not in want of any further supplies." The question of whether the natives were in actual distress at the time, and the explanation of the contradictory reports, can be accounted for by the news arriving in Apia from some districts which were unquestionably in distress, and news from other districts of a more favourable character. No doubt the reports of destitution were a little exaggerated ; but still there has been a considerable amount of poverty existing in many localities, to the residents of which a supply of rice or biscuits was very acceptable. It is now well known in Apia that in quite a number of villages the natives have been compelled to cut down tho young cocoanufcs, which were then the only food available, and in some places even cocoanubs were not procurable. In such places, at least, must have existed some tryiug times, which, we are glad to say, aro now passed. The natives of Samoa should ever remember with gratitude the liberality of the colonies who came to their aid the moment the reports of Samoan distress reached them, and who showed such a disposition to extend their contributions if needed. Such a friendly action should never be forgotten. The relations of our Island? with the Australian colonies and New Zealand are gradually extending, and their generous conduct in our distress should still further cement a friendship.