Tahiti Copra
p. 10 · Read in the full issue
Reduced Freight to ’Frisco Move for French Preference Still Being Discussed
From Our Own Correspondent PAPEETE, January 2.
A WELCOME reduction in freight rates on copra from Tahiti to San Francisco was announced by the Union Steamship Co., early in Decem ber, when the S.S. Makura lifted an unusually large cargo at the new fig ure of 5 dollars per ton, as against 7 dollars formerly. This, of course, is the result of the exchange position.
Every little helps in these days of low copra prices. On the other hand, there are persistent rumours around town that an export duty of 100 francs per ton is to be imposed on copra leav ing for foreign ports, in order to en courage exports to France by the sub sidised Messageries vessels.
In the meantime, the commercial community here awaits, with increased interest, the outcome of the discussions now going on in France with regard to the preferential treatment of French copra entering that country.
If carried this legislation, which was alluded to in my article two months ago, will place planters in French ter ritories in a very favourable position, as compared with those in other copra producing countries.