Samoan Notes
p. 24 · Read in the full issue
From Our Own Correspondent
Apia Dec 14
WESTERN Samoa is having a tough, uphill fight, in certain directions.
As copra is practically worthless, the natives dependent on copra are returning to the way of life of their forefathers, and are doing without Euro pean luxuries, and depending on their own products for food, clothing and lighting.
The exceptions among the Samoans are the banana growers and shippers, who may be considered the Samoan plu tocracy, with ample revenue accruing from the large banana exports. During November and December of this year, over 22.000 cases of bananas were ship ped, and the cash therefrom is an important source of revenue for traders and merchants.
Thefts
A recent shortage of native food especially taro and breadfruit, caused an epidemic of thefts and burglaries, espe cially from European banana planta tions in the Apia district.
A distressing occurrence was reported from the island of Savaii, where a small, Dutch, yawl-rigged yacht, the “Marie”, of 9i tons, owned and captained by Mr.
Frank Dona, a Dutchman, with Mr! Cyril Bowen, of Auckland, as companion, struck the reef at Avao, Fagamalo. It was found that she had sustained seri ous damage, including a large hole in the bottom, and she had to be beached.
While Messrs. Dona and Bowen were on shore, as guests of Mr. J. Menzies, manager of Burns Phllp at Fagamalo, a gang of natives boarded the little craft and pillaged it thoroughly, stealing ropes, provisions and everything movable, smashing the lockers and doing a lot of damage. Later, some of the culprits
were caught by a Samoan policeman and are now on their way to Apia to be tried.
Wartime Conditions
Coming into force as from December 5, the Administration is levying an addi tional 15 per cent, surcharge on the amount of import duty payable by importers. This is designed to balance the dwindling revenue of the Adminis tration.
Though Apia firms have succeeded in shipping most of the cocoa in store, there seems at present no prospect of trans port for copra on hand. A plan to sell a large quantity of copra to Japanese interests would probably not be sanc tioned by the Government.
The Samoa Spitfire Fund is up to about £4.200 now, and another £BOO will give the £5,000 aimed at. The goal will be reached in the near future. A num ber of sporting and social functions are planned for the fund.