Export Duty On Copra

Discontent in Solomons

A DECISION by the British Solomon Islands Administration, that the copra export duty as from February 1 should be 6/6 per ton, has caused some irritation in that already restless Ter ritory. The Solomon Islands planters compare their condition with that of the New Guinea planters, who are just across the line, in the Mandated Terri tory. The New Guinea Administration, at the beginning of February assessed the local value of copra for the month of February at £8/5/- per ton, and the exnort duty at 2/6 per ton. The Solomon Islands planters are being charged 4/per ton more than that.

One can appreciate, of course, the dif ficulty which faces the B.S.I. Administration. Copra has increased sharply in value and the Administration, which has few sources of revenue, is anxious to get some benefit from the increase in order to assist B.S.I. finance. In New Guinea, however, the official Treasurer is not under the same unhappy conditions —the Mandated Territory is passing rich on the large and growing gold royalty.

This, however, does not appeal very much to the B.S.I. planters, who point out that even with the recent increase in the price of copra they are a long way short of meeting their commitments.