Relief Sought for Planters Export Tax Reduced

Planters Export Tax Reduced

Canberra, Aug. 16.

The steady fall in the price of copra has alarmed holders of Expropriated plantations in New Guinea, who bought at valuations fixed when copra prices were high.

Urgent representations have been made to the Commonwealth Govern ment, with the result that the export duty has now been reduced from 20/to 15/- per ton. It was reduced from 25/- to 20/- in October, 1928.

Other measures of relief are now under consideration. It seems obvious that if copra does not recover, the Fed eral Government must re-value the plantations. Otherwise, a large pro portion of the newly-established plant ers will be wiped out.