Copra Prices In B.S.I.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Tulagi, Dec. 1.

A PRICE war, terminated by a mutual agreement, has interested arid per haps benefited the community. Copra was £2/10/-. One big buying firm, hav ing a direct shipping line, raised the price to £5/15/0 —about the price regularly paid in Rabaul. The other big firm groaned and protested, and producers pinched themselves to see if they were awake. Then the Resident Commissioner took a hand.

It is whispered that he would have said something rather more scathing had the war not improved prices just at the time of the Council meeting. But, as it was, he made very sensible and helpful reference to the indefensible practice of the big companies paying different prices for copra of similar quality to different clients. After the Council meeting, the largest copra buyers in the Group circu larised their clients that a uniform price of £4/10/- would be paid,- client to pay freight to Tulagi. Both firms at present pay the same price.

Producers are grateful to His Honour for his timely reference, which shows a real appreciation of the difficulties cf growers, who, native and European, are helped by the increased price.