611.62M31/84

The Consul General at Wellington (Bucklin) to the Secretary of State

No. 40

Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Department’s Instruction of October 18, 1934, File No. 611.62M31/82, in which additional information is requested regarding the discrimination against American commerce in Western Samoa.

In reply to the Department’s questions, it is informed that the preference to British goods accorded by the Samoan Customs applies equally to goods from all portions of the British Empire. Also the Ottawa Agreements have not in any way affected the Samoan tariff, as this latter has not been altered subsequent to the Ottawa Conference, and the rates now in force, both preferential and general, were those applicable before the Agreements negotiated at Ottawa came into effect.

Respectfully yours,

Geo. A. Bucklin