Transport Charges

Letter to the Editor FRIEND “Copra Bug” has had his say about monopolists. How have they a monopoly? Isn’t it open to other firms to charter ships?

In Port Moresby and Samarai, the “monopolists” used to buy copra at plan tation weights, less a few lbs. (the differ ence between spring balance and plat form scales). The handling charges and loss of weight of copra in store and in transport overseas were all deducted from London price, and then local price was stated. In my case, at any rate, it was.

One of the firms started to pay a higher price for copra, but, instead of buying it as the “monopolists” did, they bought it after deducting 8 to 10 per cent, for loss of weight in transport, etc. It worked out at the same rate as the “monopolists” paid. I am sorry to say the “monopolists” now buy in the same way. It makes a mess of the copra book.

With regard to the “monopolists” and German and Japanese goods—does not “Copra Bug” realise that if we do not buy German goods, Germany cannot buy any of our copra—one factor in the low price that has been ruling? Japan has told Australia if she does not buy more Japa nese goods Japan must buy less Austra lian wool.

On the subject of coastal freights—it was the owners of the “Papuan Chief” (which carries most of the freight) who raised the freight rate a year or two back when copra was falling and stores and plantations were cutting costs. That was not the “monopolists.”

I am, etc.,

Spathe.

Samarai, 1/5/35.