Profiteering

Heavy Fines in American Samoa

From Our Own Correspondent APIA, November.

IT is reported from Pago Pago, Ameri can Samoa, that several merchants and traders have been heavily fined for selling goods at excessive profit.

In one case, a fine of 2,000 dollars was imposed; in another, 500 dollars and six months’ imprisonment. At least one store has been closed and the trader’s licence withdrawn.

Rigid restrictions have been imposed on the residents of the American naval base of Pago Pago also—these are re quired to do some useful work. Samoans not otherwise usefully employed, now have to grow foodstuffs under Govern ment control—a measure that is intended to make American Samoa gradually independent of imported native food stuffs.