War's Effect on Samoa
p. 40 · Read in the full issue
Prom Our Own Correspondent APIA, June 8.
ALTHOUGH the islands of the South Pacific are remote from the actual fighting zones, they are in many ways closely affected by the war. Samoa is playing her part in the Empire’s ef fort by having successfully raised funds for a “Spitfire” ’plane and by sending cash and supplies to the NZ Red Cross.
A number of young men from the Territory are already serving in the NZ Forces overseas or training in the Dominion, and a large number of volun teers are waiting to be called up.
Lack of markets and shortage of shipping has somewhat curtailed trade.
Tne copra market shows little improve ment, and of the 4,000 tons of copra which NZ purchased at the beginning of this year for use as pigs’ food, only half has been lifted so far. A number of copra trading stations on Savaii and on the souin coast of Upolu have closed down.
Cocoa Prospects Good
Fortunately, the cocoa market has improved of late, and, though freight rates, etc., are high, planters can dispose of Samoan cocoa beans in USA, NZ and Australia. We had a record crop last year and, with weather conditions con tinuing favourable this year, prospects for another large crop are good. With the establishment of a rubber-ware in dustry in NZ, there is also a good mar ket offering for Samoan rubber. The NZ Reparation Estates, a Government concern, is at present the only rubber producer, shipping some 10 tons monthly.
The banana industry has been the main source of income for a large por tion of the Territory’s population—until recently 20,000 cases were shipped a month. However, re-arranged shipping facilities have reduced banana ship ments by half.
Apart from banana pay-out days, Apia stores have had a quiet time recently and economising is the slogan of the hour. Our cost of living is rising con tinuously—almost daily the Adminis tration announces some increase in the controlled prices of imported foodstuffs; but locally produced foods such ,as eggs, milk, fruit, etc., are plentiful and there is no likelihood of a food shortage.
Government revenue has suffered con siderably and, as a result, Public Works activities have been curtailed. The Administration may have to reduce the staffs of some departments to effect necessary savings in expenditure.