Hebrides
p. 13 · Read in the full issue
British Copra in New Hebrides Removal of French Duty Sought
THE British Resident Commissioner at Vila is negotiating with France with a view to having British-grown copra in the New Hebrides imported into France, free of duty, stated Mr. C. Sullivan, Islands merchant, who returned to Syd ney on August 18, after a visit to the Condominium.
A heavy duty was placed on copra from any but French colonies, continued Mr.
Sullivan but the Resident Commissioner at Vila claimed that British-grown copra from the New Hebrides should be admit ted tax-free because the Group was governed by both France and England.
If negotiations were successful, said Mr.
Sullivan, it was possible that they might be negatived by further action on the part of the French Government, which was considering a bounty to French producers of copra. This would bring prosperity to the New Hebrides, but the bounty would be paid only to French producers, thus leaving the English growers at a disadvantage.