Samoa's Trade
pp. 24-25 · Read in the full issue
IN 1938 Large Decrease in Imports and Exports
From Our Own Correspondent
Apia, May 2.
THE seventh annual report of the Chamber of Commerce of Western Samoa* gives trade developments and statistics for 1938 and preceding years, compiled by the secretary, Mr. P. W.
Glover, B.Sc., F.R.A.S.
For the twelfth consecutive year, 1938 showed a favourable trade balance—this year £52,333. The comparative trade fig ures for 1938 and the preceding five years are as follows: —
Exports In Detail
Owing to low prices in 1938, the share of copra in the total exports dropped con siderably. Cocoa production increased, with a record crop. Banana prices main tained their level and the exports in creased materially—bananas are now the second important product of the Terri tory, occupying the place formerly taken by cocoa. The following table shows the figures in detail (compared with 1937): —
*Cases.
The exports went to the following coun tries (percentage of total exports shown in parenthesis):—
Imports
Both New Zealand and Canada during 1938 obtained larger shares of Samoa's import trade —at the expense of Japan, which lost half her Samoan trade. Im port figures are shown thus: —
Copra
Copra production is still the most im portant industry in Samoa, but owing to a depressed market and the high cost of labour and other production charges,
Imports.
Exports.
Excess of Exports. £ £ £ 1933 .. . 150,856 173,837 22,981 1934 . . . 92,784 128,117 35,333 1935 .. . 135,757 189,298 53,541 1936 . . . 167,020 263,255 96,235 1937 267,868 352,436 84,568 1938 196,272 248,605 52,333
1937. 1938. £ Tons. £ Tons.
Copra .. .. 199,747 13,340 103,529 11,241 Cocoa .. .. 71,138 1,253 59,699 1,647 Bananas . .. 70.446 187,755* 77,143 205,715* Rubber .. .. 5.505 60 3,293 49 Miscellaneous & Re-Exports 5.600 — 4,995 — Total .. .. £352,436 £248.605
1937. 1938. £ £ N.Z .. 75,054 (21%) 84,021 (33%) U.K 66,578 (18%) 85,647 (34%)
U.S.A
56,445 (16%) 25,326 (10%) Australia 4,716 (1%) 788 (0.3%) Canada .. .. 6,006 (1%) — Holland . . .. 5,684 (2%) Germany 11,366 (3%) — France .. .. — Mexico ., .. ., — 4,207 (1%) Japan .. ,, .. — — Other .. .. .. 104,222 (29%) 42,932 (17%)
1937, 1938. £ £ N.Z 71,396 (26%) 58,815 (30%) U.K 42,365 (15%) 29,897 (15%)
U.S.A 21,252 (7%) 19.480 (9%)
Australia .. .. 40,857 (15%) 28,141 (14%) Canada 14,306 (5%) 16,432 (8%) Japan 39,613 (14%) 14,647 (7%) Holland ... 212 (0.1%) 216 (0.1%) Germany .. .. 3,760 (1%) 3.894 (2%) France 622 (0.2%) 878 (0.4%) Other 33,485 (12%) 23,872 (12%)
the industry remains principally in the hands of the native Samoans. Of 11,241 tons exported in 1938, 8,677 tons (77 per cent.) was native produced, against 13,340 tons exported in 1937, of which 10,605 tons (79 per cent.) was native produced.
Copra exports for 1938 compare with the preceding auinquennium as follows: —
Growth Of Banana Trade
Since the inception of the banana trade in 1928, the industry has grown in a remarkable manner. In 11 years the quantity exported has been increased ninefold and in value from £11,210 to £77,143. The following table tells the story:—
The further expansion of the banana industry depends wholly upon the pur chasing power of New Zealand consum ers and the quotas granted to Samoa by the N.Z. Government. The present plan is working successfully and smoothly, and the Produce Inspector and his staff were completely vindicated at a recent official investigation. Of the banana exports, approximately two-thirds are produced by native growers, the remainder by Euro pean planters.
Threat To Cocoa Industry
The quantity of cocoa exported in 1938 —1,647 tons —was the highest on record.
The value, however, was only £59,699, compared with £71,138 for 1,253 tons in 1937. Comparative figures since 1933 have been:—
Although cocoa production increased in 1938, a violent storm and heavy rains in January seriously damaged this year’s crop, which consequently will be small.
In addition, the proposed repatriation of Chinese plantation labour next year makes the position of cocoa planters precarious, so that the existence of the cocoa in dustry in the Territory is in danger.
Several European planters have been compelled recently to abandon their holdings.
Over 50 per cent, of the cocoa produc tion comes from the plantations of in dependent Europeans. The balance is evenly divided between the N.Z. Repara tion Estates and native growers.
Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Ellis returned to Suva, Fiji, early in June after a short visit to New Zealand.
Yen. H. Mayo Harris, Archdeacon of Suva, Fiji, is reported to be making satis factory progress following a serious operation in New Zealand recently.
Year. Tons. Year. Tons. 1933 11,526 1936 13,014 1934 8,948 1937 13,340 1935 12,501 1938 11,241
Year. Cases. Year. Cases. 1928 22,815 1934 96,225 1929 53,652 1935 109,000 1930 95,867 1936 128,045 1931 85,231 1937 187,755 1932 66,715 1938 205,715 1933 81,983
Year.
Tons.
Year.
Tons. 1933 .. . 1936 .. . 1934 .. . . .. 1,027 1937 .. , . . . 1,253 1935 .. . .. 576 1938 .. .