Cheap Living In Samoa

Exchange Advantage, Plus Low Housekeeping Costs

JPEW people know it—but it is a fact that to-day the cheapest and pleasantest place in which to live in the Pacific is Western Samoa.

For many years, Tahiti held that position. Tahiti is a beautiful country, with a charming, amiable people; and, while the French currency was under par, large numbers of British and Ameri can people lived there, cheaply and very happily. To-day, owing to the main tenance by France of the gold standard, Tahiti has lost its economic attraction.

Western Samoa is not Tahiti, but it is comparable—a very beautiful country, clean and colourful, inhabited by another race of Polynesians, who can run the Tahitians very close in good looks and amiability. The great densely-wooded, mountainous. island of Upolu, 47 miles long and 15 wide, carries a native population of at least 20,000, living in most picturesque villages, which cluster thickly beside the lagoon right round the island.

Despite an expensive, unprogressive administration, the actual cost of living is low. A good bungalow, usually with a garden of flaming tropical plants, can be rented for £2 or £3 per month. House servants can be hired for about £1 per month and found. The two most im portant—cook and laundry-worker—will each cost at least £2 per month and found. These bungalows are easily and cheaply furnished —cane furniture and the soft, comfortable native mats.

The rest is a matter of housekeeping.

Most imported goods are dear—there are a heavy revenue tariff and heavy port charges. (Imagine it —3/6 for 50 common cigarettes!) But the establishment can be run very largely on native foods— fresh meat and milk, eggs and fowls, fish and pork, and a very wide variety of fruit and vegetables, can be procured in abundance at surprisingly low rates.

From May until September the climate is cool and pleasant, for a place so close to the equator—it is like Sydney in January. Those who think of spending a few months there should take with them a car. On the northern side of Upolu, based on Apia, there are at least 50 miles of good roads, mostly following

the coastline, with its endless scenes of tropical beauty, and its interesting glimpses of village life. A lad to look after and drive the car can be hired easily in Apia, where there are some 300 motor vehicles in use.

The factor which gives Samoa its special claim is the exchange. Samoa uses New Zealand currency; and the latter is 25 per cent, under sterling.

Sterling itself is nearly 25 per cent, off the gold standard. That is to say, per sons on fixed incomes will find that in Samoa (where rent, foodstuffs and ser vants are so cheap) their £1 in gold is worth £2 in the local currency.

The special disadvantage in Samoa is the fantastic liquor system, imposed by the socially backward Dominion of New Zealand. Persons resident there may obtain their usual household supplies only on a doctor’s order, and with the permission of the Government. Liquor “permits” are seldom refused; but it is irritating and humiliating to have to go cap in hand to these Government officials and beg permission to have a little liquor.

Apart from that, life in Samoa is very pleasant. The N.Z. Government officials have few social gifts, and little interest in their temporary home; but the mer chant class —and especially the European Samoan-born people—are charming, hos pitable folk, who delight in entertaining the appreciative visitor.

Apia is a well-equipped little town, in which all the amenities are provided.

There are electric light and power, an excellent water-supply, sewerage, schools, a talkie theatre (twice weekly) and about 10 well-stocked stores. Buses run out from Apia to each end of Upolu (25 miles in one direction and 20 miles the other), and the taxi service is one of the best and cheapest in the world. Some of the stores run quite good fiction libraries. There is one large hotel (un licensed) and two boarding houses.

A person with a fixed income of £4OO sterling could live in luxury in Samoa— always provided that it was a sensible person, who could get a quick under standing of housekeeping conditions.