Survey

Samoa's Buoyant

Finances

Administrator's Wartime Survey

From Our Tahiti Correspondent

Apia, Feb. 15.

CIRCUMSTANCES beyond the juris diction of Western Samoa had put that Territory in a very sound financial state, the Administrator, Mr. A.

C. Turnbull, stated in a survey to the Legislative Council at its last meeting on December 6. But that these special circumstances would not always continue was a foregone conclusion that must be allowed for at the present time.

The Administrator's survey stated further: “The financial position of the Territory at the end of the financial year on March 31, 1943, as set out in the estimates now before the Council, in contrast with the year 1941-42, which closed with a small deficit of £609, was most satisfactory: we expected a revenue of £122,280 but rea lised £212,996.

“The revenue of all Departments, with one exception, exceeded the estimate — the largest increase being in the Treasury and Customs Department, which collected £179,755 (including £99,011 import duty).

This large increase reflects, not only the prosperity of the Territory, brought about largely by the presence of defence forces, but shows how well we have been treated by other countries which, notwithstand ing their own rationing restrictions, have allowed us to import practically every thing for which we have asked—and in unprecedented quantities.

“Our expenditure for the 1942-43 year was estimated at £120,824, but this amount was later increased to £220,709 The main supplementary items were £5,000 additional payments off the public debt and £87,000 set aside for special reserves as follows:

NOTE—* In addition to £5,000 originally set aside.

“After providing for these future con tingencies, the sum of £9,504 has been carried forward.

“For the information of the Council T have set out the expenditure for the past six years for the Health, Education, Public Works and Native Departments:

people take advantage of the markets that are offering: “Copra commands a very good guaran teed price—but the export of copra has dropped, and it could be increased to the advantage of the country.

“Cocoa production has been high dur ing the last year and prices have been excellent. It is hoped that the com munity will maintain this high pro duction.

“Bananas are another means of giving prosperity to the country. Unfortunately, owing to the shortage and irregularity of shipping, and the fact that at present the Samoans have easier means of making money, the returns have dropped very considerably. In our peak banana year our production was 225,000 cases, valued at £84,000. This current year it is 63,000 cases, valued at about £27,000. I appeal to elected and nominated members of the Legislative Council to use their influence, and do their utmost, to develop and maintain this trade which in the time of depression has been of such value and advantage to the community.

“On the whole, notwithstanding pure wartime prosperity, the prospects of trade and the material prosperity of the country seem to be good, provided the

“You know yourselves the best means of doing this. There should now be more labour available and more attention can be given to the plantations.”

Vaisigano Bridge £7,000* Hydro Electric 25,000 Water Works 5,000 Roads 10,000 New Buildings (including hospital) 25,000 Plant & Equipment .. .. 15,000 £87,000

Education Health Native Public Works 1937-38 £7,539 £22,579 £7,820 £31,436 1938-39 8,553 25,904 8,433 25,556 1939-40 9,526 29,147 8,928 29,757 1940-41 9,954 27,815 10,121 14,795 1941-42 9,381 26,844 8,517 11,937 1942-43 9,657 25,153 8,176 18,099 The amount spent on Works Department. schools and hospital buildings is shown under Public