N.G. Moratorium

Extended

THE Custodian of Expropriated Pro perty, Canberra, officially announced at the end of June that the present policy of suspending payments due on New Guinea expropriated properties will be continued until June, 1935, when the posi tion will be reviewed again.

In making the announcement, Mr.

Thomas said that the Federal Govern ment deplored the necessity for the con tinuation of the moratorium, but it will be maintained until some measure of prosperity is restored to tropical agri culture—particularly copra, which vitally concerns the majority of planters on ex propriated plantations.

The continuation of the moratorium was to be expected, as New Guinea planters are hard hit by the low price of copra.

Many planters are finding it difficult even to keep their plantations in an orderly condition, let alone to produce copra at a profitable figure.