W. Samoan Assembly

Meets Higher Export Tax on Cocoa Beans

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Oct. 20.

THE Legislative Assembly of Western Samoa opened its October session on the 17th and dealt with a number of new bills and ordinances which are to come into force in the present year.

An important new bill the “Samoa Customs Amendment Bill 1950” was passed on October 18. This increases im mediately the export duty on cocoa beans and preparations and extracts of same, from 32 per cent ad valorem to 10 per cent, ad valorem. This new bill will substantially increase the revenue of the Government. In view of the recent large rise in the price of cocoa beans, the Bill has not met with any opposition from growers or merchants.

At the same time the Bill abolishes the import duty on margarine (mainly impor ted from Fiji).

When the report and recommendations of the Trusteeship Council Mission, which visited Samoa in July, was tabled in the Assembly, there was an animated debate on various matters contained in the report.

Samoan and European members strong ly recommended the creation and foster ing of new primary and secondary in dustries in the Territory and particularly mentioned the establishment of cattle ranches, a dairy industry, and the can ning of meat to save the large expenditure on imported canned meat from New Zealand. Soap manufacturing, biscuit making, growing of pineapples and sugar cane were also mentioned as offering great opportunities for the economic development of Samoa. Expansion of the desiccated coconut industry throughout the Territory was also recommended as desirable. Members also would like to see promotion of co-operative societies which had been discussed at the South Pacific Conference at Suva and which are operating successfully in Fiji, the Gilbert & Ellice Islands and Rarotonga.

These would conform with Samoan cust oms. It was pointed out that the New Zealand Government had advanced large sums to the Rarotongans for the estab lishment of co-operative societies which sums have been paid back and that now the Rarotongans have substantial amounts standing to their credit.

Samoan members also agreed to the suggestion of the Mission that an Ex ecutive Council be established consisting of the High Commissioner, and senior officials, the Fautua and Samoan mem bers of the Legislative Assembly.

The Samoan demand for the elimina tion of European assessors on the Land and Titles Court was again stressed as it was contended that this Court was a purely Samoan body on which Europeans should have no place.

THE Hon. E. F. Paul, senior European member, believed that the develop ment of new industries should be left to private enterprise and not be undertaken by the Government. He favoured, particularly a local soap manu facturing industry as coconut oil, the main ingredient of soap, could be pro duced in Samoa. Cattle raising would also materially benefit the country and cut down imports of canned meats from over seas. Mr. Paul pleaded for consideration of European interests if a new Ex ecutive Council were created —Europeans, he said, were entitled to be represented.

Another European member, the Hon, F.

Betham referred to the fact that large amounts of money are lying idle at the Bank of New .Zealand and the Post Office Savings Bamc (estimated at £600.000) which could be used for the economic development of the country. He said that it was interesting to note that young Samoan planters in Savai’i have now started a co-operative society to de velop their plantations. Some institu tion should be created to provide loans and technical assistance to these people to enable them to construct dryers for copra and cocoa and other developments.

Mr. Betham suggested the establish ment of a Department of Economic Affairs to assist in the industrial and agricultural development of the Territ ory and particularly in the establishment of new industries.