What Is Samoan Trade Policy?

From a Correspondent Did Prime Minister Mataafa speak out of turn when he said in New Zealand during his visit in August that West Samoa would welcome foreign investment? That question is being asked in Apia following publicity given to his New Zealand statements.

MATAAFA said in Auckland that Samoa would welcome capital particularly from Commonwealth

countries, and when he was told by a reporter that Samoa had once dis couraged a New Zealand ice cream factory from establishing itself in the Territory Mataafa replied: “That was before my time”.

All this has been an unexpected revelation, representing an almost startling departure from the traditional conservatism, and regard for unanimity, that marks Samoan politics.

The Samoan Government has never revealed that it has any policy of support for foreign investment.

The use of foreign capital is, in fact, one of the many subjects now being thrashed out by the Economic Development Committee, which is formulating a development plan soon to be presented to the Legislative Assembly. If adopted, the plan would become Government policy.

Since his return to Samoa, Mataafa has observed a studied silence on the matter. He has not been available for interviews with the Press. At the same time, he has not denied the remarks attributed to him in New Zealand.

GOOD FISHING. Apia, West Samoa, fishermen have had a good year's fishing so far this year, with a number of outsized catches. Here is Cyril Curry, with a 156 lb yellow fin tuna he landed about 10 miles out from Apia—the largest yellow fin caught with rod and line by an Apia fisherman. Mr. Curry caught a 142 lb fish in the same spot a couple of years ago.— Photo: Samoana.