In Samoa
p. 19 · Read in the full issue
Better Planting Prospects
From Our Own Correspondent
Apia, Oct. 6.
THE wet season has started exception ally early this year, after a long, dry spell. The heavy rains have greatly benefited cocoa and banana plantations, and it is hoped that there will now be relief from the severe shortage of native foodstuffs experienced during the last few months.
The labour problem on European plan tations has now eased considerably, and many of the cocoa plantations previously neglected and over-grown with weeds are being cleaned up and returning to normal production. Cocoa as well as copra prices are very good. During the last few months £lO5 per ton was paid for first grade hot-air dried cocoa of best quality, and at present, after a slight drop, it is bringing £95 per ton. The output for the present year is better than average. Most of the crop is bought by New Zealand and Australia. * Banana exports are still very small, in spite of the recent increase of 6d. per case, and new transport concessions.
Prospects for the future are, however, somewhat brighter, and the Samoans are reported to be planting large areas in bananas, particularly in the Safata Dis trict of the South Coast along the new Leulumoega-Safata Road.