Japan At Samoa

Shall They be Allowed to Trade ?

From Our Own Correspondent APIA, Sept. 15.

THE arrival here recently of the trading schooner “Tu’itoga”, owned by the Japanese firm of Banno Brothers, caused some commotion. There is specu lation as to whether this Japanese firm which now is doing business in New Zea land, Fiji and Tonga, will succeed in ob taining a foot-hold in Western Samoa — which they have tried to do for some time past.

It has been stated freely that the Japanese firm intends to buy out a local firm, and 6pen up on a large scale, buy ing copra, tapa cloth, tapioca and other Samoan produce. Apia, in such a case, probably would be made a port of call for the planned Japanese shipping line to Noumea, Suva and Tonga.

So far, no license has been granted to Banno Brothers to trade in the territory, and Apia business interests have for warded a strong protest to the Admini stration against any license being granted.

In Apia, opinion is divided on the ques tion of the desirability of the Japanese coming to the territory. The larger firms state that trade is at bedrock now, and prospects bad; that European business interests are rigidly excluded from the Japanese mandated islands and that the Japanese would seriously disturb business conditions by underselling. Besides at the present time trade should be directed to Empire channels by preference. It is also pointed out that practically all other South Sea territories have quotas imposed on the importation of Japanese goods and that Samoa should follow suit.

On the other hand there is strong feel ing that the Japanese should be allowed to start business. Smaller firms object to the virtual monopoly of trade by the large concerns and believe that the Japanese will break this monoooly by purchasing copra at a better price and by importing cheaper goods. This would also be to the advantage of the Govern ment and the natives by supplying an outlet for the copra production.