Efforts to Make Samoa Self-Contained
p. 12 · Read in the full issue
From Our Own Correspondent.
APIA, February 20.
IN the matter of foodstuffs for Euro pean consumption, a large portion of the present importations can be con sidered unnecessary, as they can be easily produced in Samoa.
This refers particularly to meats, fish, milk, butter, cheese, ham and bacon, vegetables and fruit. The only thing necessary is to stimulate produc tion —and maybe the higher tariff duties now introduced will provide such a stimulant.
Flour, rice and sugar, of course, have to be imported, but, of these, the con sumption on the part of the natives has
decreased to a considerable extents Soap-making from coconut oil is prac ticed largely by Europeans and Sam oans alike. Building materials and hardware are not needed at the present time, when building operations in the territory are practically at a standstill.
The only large items of goods imported. are drapery and clothing: and even these lines show a marked decline in quantities, as Europeans and Samoans have to confine their purchases to the absolute minimum.
It may be pointed out that portion of the material needed for banana cases, for exportation, is at present produced in Samoa from rubber (Ficus) trees and bush trees and they are apparently of quite satisfactory quality.