A.—4

Imports. The total value of imports for the calendar year 1926 was £324,940, as compared with £345,989 for the previous year, a decrease of £21,049. The following table shows the countries whence imported, with a comparison for the previous year.

The import-trade decrease of £21,049 is borne by the following countries : United Kingdom, £13,517 ; Australia, £15,898 ; Canada, £4,660 ; and increases are shown in United States of America, £10,506 ; Germany, £1,721 ; and New Zealand, £617.

Chart showing Export, Import, and Total Trade of Western Samoa for Period 1910 to 1926 inclusive.

The-principal items of imports which may be commented on are : Drapery shows a "decline of £22,495, made up of £10,761 United Kingdom, £9,298 Australia, £1,692 U.S. America, and balance New Zealand ; biscuits declined £2,039 (Australia £1,129, and Fiji £910) ; preserved fish declined £6,887, practically all from Canada; benzine increased £5,705, from U.S. America; kerosene increased £2,061 (U.S. America); flour (Australia) increased £2,324 ; meat in kegs (New Zealand) declined £4,534 ; motor-vehicles and parts increased £6,319 (U.S. America £2,559, Canada £2,146, balance from United Kingdom).

22

1925. 1926. Knuri . — Value. ! Percentage. Value. J Percentage ■ ; | H I I I £ £ United Kingdom .. -. 63,885 18-5 50,368 15-5 New Zealand .. .. .. .. 91,542 26-5 92,159 28-4 Australia .. .. .. .. 103,748 29-9 87.850 ; 27-0 United States of America .. .. 55,767 16-1 66,273 20-4 Other countries .. .. .. .. 31,047 9-0 28,290 8-7 Total .. .. .. 345,989 100-0 324,940 100-0 I I