Cocoa More Profitable

Than Copra

Prom Our Own Correspondent APIA, June 3.

THOUGH we now should be well into the dry season, exceptionally heavy rains have fallen recently, and wet weather continues at present.

These unseasonable conditions have interfered with copra cutting. Banana production is still increasing rapidly, ana it is hoped that sufficient shipping space will be available to cope with the larger quantities of fruit offering.

It seems that while copra production is decreasing or at best stationary, the cocoa * industry is taking on a new lease of life.

It is reported that on the island of Savaii, the Samoans are planting large areas in cocoa, and gradually abandoning then coconut plantations, as cocoa-beans bring them much larger returns.