Trade Of Western Samoa.

Chamber of Commerce Report Gives Recent Trade Returns.

From Our Own Correspondent.

APIA, March 19.

THE annual report of the Apia Cham ber of Commerce, submitted by the president (Mr. A. G. Smythe) to the annual meeting of members held on March 8, presents some interesting feat ures. A number of important matters were attended to by the Chamber in 1932 and brought to a successful conclusion. 1932 was the first year of the newly con stituted chamber.

The estimated total population of Samoa on December 31 last is as fol lows: —

These figures are only estimated, and it must be pointed out that all inhabit ants of mixed Chinese-Samoan and Mel anesian-Samoan descent, as well as a large number of European-Samoans, not registered as Europeans are counted as Samoans, so that the statistics do not represent a correct aspect of the racial composition of the population.

Trade figures are given as follows: Total trade, 1930 £559,870 Total trade, 1931 £359,397 Total trade, 1932 £329,916 Of this trade the British share consti tuted 65, 75, and 80 per cent, respec tively; the foreign share 35, 25 and 20

per cent., a change common to practic ally all British possessions and dominions.

The import duties, including post and service tax, showed a corresponding de crease, viz.: 1930, £48,137; 1931, £28,535; and 1932, in consequence of the rise in Customs duties, a slight increase to £34,160.

The export figures are given as fol lows: —

It is significant, that the copra pro duction shows a decrease for the last three years. This may be directly attri buted to the political trouble, which has prevented the Administration from en forcing an agricultural policy and induc ing the natives to plant coconuts and replace their over-aged plantations. The probability is that the situation will be further aggravated in the future.

Cocoa production should reasonably show an increase in the coming year, as large areas of new cultivation are com ing into bearing and the last two years’ crops were under normal.

The drop in banana exports is due ex clusively to lack of shipping space. At least double the quantities might have been exported if sufficient space had been available.

The shipping figures for 1932 are as follows;

Mr. A. G. Smythe, the president, was complimented for the compilation of the interesting and valuable annual report.

As Mr. Smythe goes on leave in May of this year, he has resigned his position as president of the Chamber of Commerce and the Hon. T. H. Carruthers, M.L.C., was elected President for 1933. Mr. R.

H. Brown (Burns, Philp S.S. Co., Ltd.) was elected vice-president.

The British steamer “Antinous” went ashore on Bentley Island Reef, on the south-east coast of Papua on the night of March 20. She was refloated later and proceeded to Samarai, no apparent damage having resulted. The “Antin ous” left Sydney on February 23 for Europe and was at Tulagi on March 13,

Males. Females. Total.

Europeans 368 244 612 Samoans 21,911 21,236 43,147 Mixed Samoan-European descent registered as Europeans 1,179 1,144 2,323 Chinese 638 — 638 Melanesians 119 1 120 24,215 22,625 46,940

Copra.

Tons. Value. 1930 . . 12,285 £166,221 1931 11,062 £109,220 1932 10,879 £108,698

Cocoa.

Tons. Value. 1930 .. 1,007 £61,294 1931 .. 620 £35,284 1932 825 £49,712 1930 . .

Bananas.

Cases. 95,867 £44,259 1931 .. £39,022 1932 .. £20,016

Total Trade.

Imports. Exports. Total. 1930 £559,870 1931 .. . .. £164,950 £194,447 £359,397 1932 .. . . . £150,902 £179,014 £329,916

No. of Vessels.

Tonnage. Gross.

Cargo. Out.

Cargo. In.

British ... 79 49,572 8,630 9,569 Foreign ... 35 28,635 1,219 9,646 114 78,205 9,849 19,215