Cocoa Grades

Some Criticism for Samoa

“LONDONER” writes: “I do not like the squeal from the cocoa planters of Samoa (P.I.M., March). They were able, like all other tropical planters, to get big prices for their crops; but even cocoa does not run to 3 or 4 automobiles on an acreage of 160; neither can the profit, even at the best of times, run to extended trips around the world, etc. No single commodity can keep at the artificial prices enjoyed after the war, and it was up to the planters to save and look ahead for the rainy days.

“In Samoa, though every cocoa planter knew so much more than the other fel low; and instead of pulling together and having one first grade standard of bean each man followed his own bent. Thus, at times, one in a shipment of 200 bags no less than 20 different standards of what 20 planters thought was first grade. Consequently, instead of building up a definite market in Britain, the Samoan planters were compelled to sell piecemeal and take what was offered.

Anyway, there it is, and until Samoan No. 1 grade can be marketed as a “bulk grade,’’ I am afraid the buyers will still keep them down in price.

“That does not alter my opinion that cocoa for New Guinea, on a proper basis, would be an excellent thing for that Ter ritory.

“Australian manufacturers would buy if they knew the beans were O.K.”