Copra Price

Still at Calamitous Level

THE price of copra remains at a calamitous level.

We have at hand the copra merchants’ circulars from several parts of the world; and all, while agreeing that the price is now at a rate that represents impos sible conditions for the producer, express themselves as puzzled about the general position.

One skilled commentator points out that, despite chaotic economic conditions generally, the prices of the majortiy of primary products have increased consid erably, while copra, one of the most im portant primary products, seems to keep on falling. No one can understand why this is so; and there is reasonable ground for the assumption that the market, re sponding to the ordinary law of supply and demand, will alter quite suddenly, and prices rise fairly quickly.

Growers should be warned, however, that it would be foolish to expect any thing even approaching pre-depression rates. Copra should come back to prices which will return producers a fair profit; but it must be remembered that there has been terrific over-production, and that, owing to new scientific processes, many oil-bearing products can now be used as substitutes for cocoanut oil.

Whale Oil

The following interesting item is taken from the weekly circular of the Fiji Cocoanut Planters’ Union: “Recent advices from Norway gave particulars of the whaling steamers and chasers which were to be sent to the Antarctic, leaving Norway about the middle of September. Altogether, 19 fac tory ships were under orders, and the accompanying fleet of whale-chasers totalled 124. The crews numbered ap proximately 5,500 in all. It is very un likely that the whalers will be able to make profits and, of course, every de cline in the price of copra is reflected in the price of cocoanut oil and, hence, of whale oil.”

Mr. and Mrs. John Vandercook arrived in Port Moresby by the “Macdhui” on Oc tober 19 and left for Kikori, in the Delta Division, by the “Papuan Chief” on Oc tober 31. They are making a tour of the principal Pacific Islands, gathering ma terial and pictures of island life for the National Geographic Magazine. They have already visited Hawaii and Fiji and from Papua they will proceed to New Guinea and the Solomons. Mr. Vander cook is a well-known author and explorer.

His explorations include those into Dutch Guiana, Liberia and the Cameroons.

“Tom-Tom,” “Black Majesty,” “Fools’

Paradise,” are his best known books.