Solomon Islands

Copra.

Recently, we asked a trader in the Solomon Islands what was the aver age price he has been receiving for his copra. His interesting reply follows: “In regard to copra price, I am afraid I am hardly able to quote “average,” for the simple reason that there are so many prices and I only know two of them. Much depends on one’s ability to haggle and work one firm against the other, and in this connection “con science” plays a big part. Again, the man well in debt gets from about £2 per ton less than the free agent; in deed, I believe the difference in some cases is even greater than this.

“The whole thing gives an example of where ‘it does NOT pay to adver tise’ what one really does get, for fear of causing trouble and making a rod for one’s own back. For instance, if I tell my trading opponents (say the Chinese) what I get for copra, there will be a chorus of ‘whaffors’ until my advantage in price is wiped out, when I will not be able to show a fair profit at trading. The sort of Chinese who trades about here in boats seems to have no idea of business or what ought to be a fair profit, and for the most part he makes no profit at all, but just goes bung, when another takes his place.

“I know of one regular parity price which is £5/2/6 under ‘Sydney Morning Herald’ quote, for copra landed at Makambo, while what we call ‘ordin ary’ price would be about £7 under.

The buyers are forever putting their heads together to pay certain prices, but along comes a rumour or a tail spinner, and one or other breaks the agreement.

"Altogether, we seem to get much less for our copra than New Guinea producers, but why this should be I do not know, especially as it is often carried away in the same boat.”