Solomons Copra.
p. 22 · Read in the full issue
Large Export Causes Surprise.
From Our Own Correspondent.
TULAGI, February 10.
IT is said that our output of copra at the end of March will be very little, if anything-, short of the previous year’s total —which, to say the least, is astonishing- on a number of accounts: (1) The native has produced very little. (2) The largest producer is said to be 400 tons down as a result of nut-fall. (3) A number are not producing to full capacity. (4) Some are not producing at all.
It follows that, had the depression not depressed, there would have been a very substantial increase in our ex ports; even in spite of nut-fall.
The nut-fall bug, or whatever it is that causes the damage, is still at large, and naturally we will all feel very much easier when it is run to earth or “treed” —as we used to say when ’possum hunting.