Savaii May Yet Challenge Upolu

New Era For Big Samoan Island

From our own correspondent

Apia, Aug. 20,

rpHE largest and westernmost is- 1 land of the Western Samoan Group, Savai’i (which contains

700 of the group’s total land area, of 1,130 square miles) appears sel dom in the news. Public interest; centres on the island of Upolu and’ its capital, Apia.

Visitors and tourists rarely pene- ■ trate to the lesser known scenic andJ natural attractions of the larger* island. There are just as many andJ maybe more tourist attractions oiu Savai’i; and the mountain ranges* of Savai’i rise to 6,094 feet, as; against only 3,608 feet on Upolu.

Savai’i’s large lava fields are of; fairly recent origin. The last out breaks of the volcano Matavanui took place between 1905 and 1911,, when large areas of cultivated land] and coconut plantations were? covered by the lava flow, and de stroyed, and several villages had toe be abandoned, and the inhabitants* removed to Upolu.

Of the total population of West ern Samoa approximately one-thirdl or some 25,000 live on Savai’i, butd the number of Europeans and part— Europeans is very small.

In former years, Savai’i peoples were somewhat condescendingly* treated as poor relations by thes more prosperous Upolu Samoans,; proud of the humming activitiess of Apia, of the numerous cocoa andt banana plantations, with thein better roads, hospitals and schools.; But, in recent years, the pictures has completely changed.

The neglected and isolated island: of Savai’i is energetically forgings ahead, and is developing rapidly.and threatening to rival and evem surpass the economic achievements, of Upolu.

The cocoa industry, particularly,* has been greatly expanded in all] parts of Savai’i. and the youngg cocoa plantations are coming inten bearing. A gradually increasing pro portion of Samoa’s cocoa production: is coming from Savai’i. The of Savai’i cocoa-beans is considered? even better than the Upolu product.?

End of the current year will also? see the banana export industry extended to Savai’i, which will bring increased revenue and prosperity to the Savai’ians.

As a consequence of the new; prosperity of the island, a regular daily ferry service, by fast motor launches, has been functioning fon; some time, and this is well patron-i ised. Numerous trading stations:: have sprung up all over the islandb and traders are doing well.

In addition a string of picture-e shows, in the most populated dis tricts of Savai’i—the Fa’a, Saleleage ; and Matautu districts —is catering for the entertainment of the peoples More recently, regular boxing:

tournaments, similar to those held at Apia, have been started, and have attracted general interest.

The Samoan Government is lend ing a helping hand by the construc tion of good motor roads, to further the opening of new plantation lands; by the building of schools, hos pitals and water supplies; and the extension of social services.

The Savai’i “poor relations” are now considered to be more pros perous and diligent than their Upolu cousins, and the future of the big island looks decidedly bright.

Savai’i will play an important part in future Samoan economy.