Making A Plantation Pay.

[To the Editor.]

Sir, —“Does a well-managed N.G. plantation pay with copra at £10 per ton Rabaul?” (P.I.M., March 15). I say “No,” in a large majority of cases; “Yes,” in a few exceptional cases.

Your “gentleman interested in copra production in N.G.” evidently knows the ideal plantation, well stocked with cattle, goats, pigs, etc., where pigeons flock and vegetables thrive, where grasshoppers or promecotheca fear to tread, where the minimum of labour produces the maximum of copra. In fact, the ideal place for a “verandah boss” to drink his half-dozen bottles a day. If only all plantations were like this, there would be no argument, but, as you say, no two men will agree about costs because no two plantations are the same.

My cost of production is about £9/10/-. The price received for copra during last twelve months averages £6/15/-. I have kept myself solvent by chasing the elusive Trocas and by trading and out of capital.

Is it not time that the idea of veran dah bosses and boosers running, or ruining, plantations was dropped—there are few such nowadays. There have been some of this type in years past, but they did not last long. Another idea prevalent—and among people who should know better —is that all planters made a lot of money in the days of high copra prices, and squandered it recklessly on motor cars, trips south, and in leading a gay life generally. This might apply to one or two purchasers in the first group. The big majority of planters have no cars—or roads for them—and they are their own builders, carpenters, engineers, and jacks-of-all trades and work damned hard. Nor do they live in the suburbs of Rabaul, handy to pub or club.

I am. etc..

One Of The Majority.

Manus, N.G.